Ellipticine (5,11-Dimethyl-6H-Pyrido[4,3]Carbazole) is a topoisomerase II poison that induces topo II dependent cleavages. TopoGEN provides this reagent as a control poison/ inhibitor of topoisomerase II. For in vitro cleavage detection, we recommend that the drug be tested over a wide range of uM concentrations; however, cleavages are strongly influenced by the amount of topoisomerase in the reaction as well as the type of assay being employed (SDSK+ vs. Radioactive End Labeled DNA vs. testing for plasmid cleavages). Note that large amounts of enzyme will be required to detect cleavage complex, compared to assays that measure catalytic activity.
