[Free and template-bound RNA polymerase in normal and leukaemic human lymphocytes (author's transl)]

Specific activities are determined of two functional fractions of alpha-amanitin sensitive DNA-dependent RNA polymerases in nucleic from human normal and chronic lymphocytic leukemia lymphocytes. Specific activity of "free" RNA polymerase in CLL corresponds ot 0.133 pmoles (3H)-UMP/10(6) cells as compared to 0.209 in normals. Activities of the "engaged" enzymes are 0.139 in CLL and 0.132 in normals. "Free" enzymes in NL and CLL are completely inhibited by 400 ng/ml Rifamycin AF/013, while the "engaged" enzymes exhibit 70% of their original activity. 1.0 ng/ml alpha-amanitin suppress 50% of the activity of the "free" enzyme in CLL. The "free" enzyme in NL and the "engaged" enzymes in NL and CLL do not show any residual activity in the presence of 1.0 ng/ml alpha-amanitin.