[Ethanol stimulates the RNA-polymerase activity of rat liver cell nuclei]

The variation dynamic of the activity of RNA-polymerase fractions II and I + III (EC 2.7.7.6) has been studied after single and long-term ethanol administration. The acute alcoholization of animals caused early stimulation of RNA-polymerase II. Activity of this enzyme remains higher even 24 hours after the ethanol administration. The activity of RNA-polymerase I + III is induced later, however, a day later it does not differ from the control. The effect of chronic ethanol intoxication is characterized by stimulation of all classes of RNA-polymerases half an hour after ethanol cessation and has a stable action. The repeated ethanol injections, compared with the first ethanol administration, induce shorter and less pronounced stimulation of RNA-polymerases against a background of the increased level of the enzymic activity. The comparison of the obtained results and data available in literature supposes that variation of the transcription processes plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the ethanol intoxication.