Characterization of RNA polymerases from Rous sarcoma virus-induced mouse ascites sarcoma cells

RNA polymerase was extracted from the Schmidt-Ruppin strain of Rous sarcoma virus (SR-RSV)-induced C3H/He mouse ascites sarcoma cells (SR-C3H). RNA polymerase was separated into RNA polymerases I and II by DEAE-Sephadex chromatography. RNA polymerase I was separated into Ia and Ib fractions by phospho-cellulose chromatography. In SR-C3H cells RNA polymerase Ib was the main component of RNA polymerase I. At 0.05--0.1 M ammonium sulphate RNA polymerase I transcribed native DNA most actively, and RNA polymerase II transcribed denatured DNA most actively. Partial digestion of DNA by DNAase I enhanced RNA synthesis by RNA polymerases I and II. At ionic strength over 0.2 M ammonium sulphate, the initiation reaction of RNA polymerases I and II was inhibited. The initiation complexes of RNA polymerases I and II with native DNA were more stable against high salt concentration than with denatured DNA.