[Isolation, some properties and heterogeneous nature of DNA-topoisomerase (relaxing enzyme) from Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells].

DNA-topoisomerase catalyzing the conversion of a superhelical circular covalently closed DNA molecule into a super-helix free circular molecule, was isolated from mouse Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells and purified 209-fold. The optimal conditions for the action and stability of the enzyme were elaborated. Using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under non-denaturating conditions as well as in the presence of Na-DS the heterogeneity of purified DNA-topoisomerase was established. This heterogeneity implies the presence of three active forms of the enzyme with Mr of 97 000, 81 000 and 69 000, respectively. Using one-dimensional fingerprint method and limited proteolysis with Staphylococcus aureus protease, it was demonstrated that the low molecular weight enzyme forms are products of limited proteolysis of the highest molecular weight form of DNA-topoisomerase.