Purification and Properties of DNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase from Bacillus subtilis Vegetative Cells

A purification procedure to prepare highly purified DNA-dependent RNA polymerase from Bacillus subtilis vegetative cells is described. The enzyme consists of four different subunits, β′, β, σ and α (molecular weights 154000 for β′ and β, 56000 for σ and 43000 for α) in a molar ratio 1:1:1:2. By phosphocellulose chromatography RNA polymerase has been disscociated in σ subunit and core enzyme, containing β′, β and α subunits in a molar ratio 1:1:2; the σ subunit stimulates the activity of core polymerase with ϕ 29 DNA but not with poly[d(A—T)]. The general properties of the enzyme are also described.Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund for Medical Research y Fondo Nacional para la Formación de Personal InvestigadorPeer reviewe