Mre11 cancer mutations cause variable sensitivity to topoisomerase inhibitors

Camptothecin (CT) is a natural topoisomerase inhibitor that can trap topoisomerase DNA intermediates, which can result in damaged DNA. Some practical importance can be linked to CT with using it in cancer therapies due to its cytotoxic aspects. It is known that some mutants of S. cerevisiae, which are deficient in Mre11, have sensitivity to DNA damage but not CT. In this study, Mre11 mutants were tested for their effects on the sensitivity of topoisomerase inhibitors.