Characterization of the interaction between topoisomerase II and DNA by transcriptional footprinting.

The interaction between calf thymus topoisomerase II and DNA has been characterized using a transcription assay. A highly preferred recognition sequence for topoisomerase II was inserted in either direction downstream from a promoter specific for a bacteriophage RNA polymerase. The presence of topoisomerase II-DNA complexes on the template provoked blockage of transcription, yielding RNA transcripts terminated 5' to the topoisomerase II binding site. A footprint of topoisomerase II, derived from transcription towards the complex from either side, revealed that eukaryotic topoisomerase II binds a region of 28 base-pairs with a highly protected central core of 22 base-pairs. The binding region was located symmetrically around the topoisomerase II-mediated cleavage site. In agreement with this result, optimal topoisomerase II-mediated cleavage was observed with a DNA substrate consisting of a 28-mer oligonucleotide homologous to the protected region. Stepwise removal of base-pairs from the ends of the 28-mer gradually reduced the level of enzyme-mediated cleavage.