Two general transcription factors (IIE and IIB) (TF) were purified from HeLa cell nuclear extracts and shown to be absolutely required, along with two additional factors (IIA and IID) and RNA polymerase II, for specific transcription initiation at the adenovirus major late promoter. TFIIB and TFIIE were also required, in addition to TFIIA, TFIID, RNA polymerase II, and the adenovirus 2 major late promoter, for the formation of a (preinitiation) complex that could initiate transcription (upon addition of nucleoside triphosphates) in the presence of heparin concentrations which inhibited the action of unbound factors. Glycerol gradient analyses indicated independent interactions of TFIIE with TFIIB and with the purified RNA polymerase II, but not with RNA polymerase III. Transcription factors IIB and IIE were also shown to be required for specific initiation of transcription from several cellular and viral class II promoters.