Studies on transcription of 3'-extended DNA templates by mammalian RNA polymerase II. Partial purification and characterization of a factor from HeLa cells that facilitates renaturation of the DNA template.

Transcription by purified mammalian RNA polymerase II in vitro leads to extensive formation of DNA-RNA hybrids between nascent RNA and the template DNA strand. This is especially clear during transcription of 3'-extended (dC-tailed) DNA templates where the nontranscribed DNA strand is progressively displaced as transcription proceeds [Kadesch, T. R., & Chamberlin, M. J. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 5286-5295]. Addition of small amounts of a HeLa cell extract to such a transcription system enhances renaturation of the template DNA and displacement of the nascent RNA, as measured by the sensitivity of the RNA to pancreatic ribonuclease. Using this latter assay, we have purified a protein factor (renaturase) 250-fold from HeLa cell extracts using chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, DNA-cellulose, and hydroxylapatite. Renaturase preparations facilitate complete renaturation of the template DNA duplex during transcription by RNA polymerase II and lead to concurrent displacement of the nascent RNA. Current preparations are free from all but traces of deoxyribonuclease or ribonuclease. The active component has a molecular weight of about 30000 as estimated by preparative density gradient sedimentation. We have examined the structure of transcribing RNA polymerase II complexes in the presence and absence of renaturase, using the electron microscope and the Williams polylysine technique [Williams, R. C. (1977) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 74, 2311-2315]. In the presence of renaturase, the DNA template is fully renatured, and a ternary complex in which the nascent RNA is displaced during transcription is seen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)