ABSTRACT
Mounting evidence suggests that eukaryotic RNA polymerases preassociate with multiple transcription factors in the absence of DNA, forming RNA polymerase holoenzyme complexes. We have purified an apparent RNA polymerase I (Pol I) holoenzyme from Xenopus laevis cells by sequential chromatography on five columns: DEAE-Sepharose, Biorex 70, Sephacryl S300, Mono Q, and DNA-cellulose. Single fractions from every column programmed accurate promoter-dependent transcription. Upon gel filtration chromatography, the Pol I holoenzyme elutes at a position overlapping the peak of Blue Dextran, suggesting a molecular mass in the range of ∼2 MDa. Consistent with its large mass, Coomassie blue-stained sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels reveal approximately 55 proteins in fractions purified to near homogeneity. Western blotting shows that TATA-binding protein precisely copurifies with holoenzyme activity, whereas the abundant Pol I transactivator upstream binding factor does not. Also copurifying with the holoenzyme are casein kinase II and a histone acetyltransferase activity with a substrate preference for histone H3. These results extend to Pol I the suggestion that signal transduction and chromatin-modifying activities are associated with eukaryotic RNA polymerases.
A Novel Assay for RNA Polymerase I Transcription Elongation Sheds Light on the Evolutionary Divergence of Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases