A new method for isolation of eukaryotic topoisomerase 1 from calf thymus and from Jurkat-1 cells using HPLC has been developed. The method allows quantitative purification of high molecular weight topo I and of two low molecular weight fractions differing by their isoelectric points. It has been suggested that these fractions be characterized as two subforms of the enzyme possessing structural and functional differences. The differences in their specific activities, sensitivity to camptothecin and in their proteolytic digestion maps have been demonstrated for the two enzymes.
