Two initiation sites for adenovirus 5.5S RNA

Adenovirus specific 5.5S RNA is heterogeneous at its 5' terminus. Complete pancreatic RNase digests of the RNA reveal a 5' terminal oligonucleotide (pp)pApGpCp in addition to the major 5' terminal (pp)pGpGpGpCp (1). Both 5' termini are detected early as well as late after adenovirus infection. In isolated nuclei, alpha-amanitin inhibits all 5.5S RNA transcription at a concentration of 200 microgram/ml, indicating that both initiation sites are recognized by RNA polymerase III.