Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP I) and Topoisomerase I(Topo I) were reiso
lated from calf thymus to eliminate cross contamination as tested by immuno
transblots. The specific activity of Topo I was greatly increased by added
PARP I, following saturation kinetics. Recombinant PARP I and isolated PARP
I at final purity were indistinguishable in terms of their activation of T
opo I. There was a coincidence of experimentally obtained binding constants
and computer generated values based on the kinetic model, indicating that
the association of PARP I and Topo I is rate limiting in the catalytic acti
vation of Topo I by PARP I. Polypeptide domains of PARP I that are required
for protein-protein binding and protein-DNA binding also activate Topo I.
Fluorescence resonance energy transfer between fluorophor-labeled PARP I an
d Topo I was demonstrated. The binding of Topo I to circular SV40 DNA, assa
yed either by the formation of a) the sum of non-covalently and covalently
attached Topo I to DNA or b) by the covalently bound transient intermediate
in the presence of camptothecin, was augmented when PARP I protein was bou
nd to SV40 DNA. These binding experiments provide a molecular basis for the
kinetic activation of Topo I by PARP I inasmuch as the increased superheli
city of SV40 DNA induced by PARP I may facilitate the formation of a more '
tight fisted' Topo I-DNA complex that increases the rate of the DNA breakag
e-reunion cycle of Topo I catalysis.