Solubilized DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activities in resting and growing fibroblast.

The activities of RNA polymerases I and II have been measured in 3T6 during the transition from the resting to growing state by solubilization of the enzymes followed by chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex columns. The activity of RNA polymerase II remains unchanged during the first 12 h after serum stimulation while the activity of RNA polymerase I increases and closely parallels the increased activity seen in isolated nuclei. Compared to enzyme from resting cells. RNA polymerase I from serum stimulated cells elutes at a lower ammonium sulfate concentration on DEAE-Sephadex chromatography and its activity shows distinctly different dependencies on the concentration of ammonium sulfate and magnesium ion. These observations are discussed in relation to the possible mechanism by which 3T6 regulates the synthesis of preribosomal RNA.