Identification of a structural gene for a RNA polymerase II polypeptide in Drosophila melanogaster and mammalian species

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1983 Jun;80(11):3396-400. doi: 10.1073/pnas.80.11.3396.

Abstract

Using subclones representing 14 kilobase pairs (kb) of DNA from the Drosophila melanogaster RNA polymerase II (EC 2.7.7.6) X-linked genetic locus, RpII, we have identified four poly(A)+ RNA transcripts in adult flies. The DNA encoding only one of these, a 7-kb transcript, cross-hybridized to mammalian DNA. DNA from alpha-amanitin-resistant (AmaR) Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and human cells was used to transform the temperature-sensitive (TS) RNA polymerase II Syrian hamster mutant TsAF8. The acquisition of the TS+ AmaR RNA polymerase II phenotype was accompanied by the appearance of donor-DNA-specific restriction fragments that cross-hybridize to the D. melanogaster 7-kb transcript DNA. This D. melanogaster DNA and the related DNA detected in mammalian species must therefore be the structural gene for a RNA polymerase II polypeptide.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cloning, Molecular*
  • Cricetinae
  • Cricetulus
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / genetics*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / enzymology
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics*
  • Genes*
  • Mesocricetus
  • Mutation
  • Nucleic Acid Hybridization
  • Peptides / genetics
  • RNA Polymerase II / genetics*
  • Species Specificity
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Peptides
  • RNA Polymerase II
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases