Why Should DNA Topoisomerase I Have a Scaffold Activity?

Since the early 1990s, in vitro studies have demonstrated that DNA topoisomerase I promotes RNA polymerase II transcription, acting as a cofactor, regardless of its catalytic activity. Recent studies, carried in vivo, using yeast as a model system, also demonstrate that DNA topoisomerase I is able to recruit, without the involvement of its catalytic activity, the Sir2p deacetylase on ribosomal genes thus contributes to achieve their silencing. In this review, the DNA topoisomerase I capability, acting as a scaffold protein, as well as its involvement and role in several macromolecular complexes, will be discussed, in light of several observations reported in the literature, pointing out how its role goes far beyond its well-known ability to relax DNA.