Specific stimulation of ribosomal RNA synthesis in E. coli by a protein factor

Summary Ribosomal RNA synthesis in a purified system is stimulated by a crude protein fraction prepared from E. coli. The positive effector which is not associated with RNA polymerase, nor is the sigma factor, increases the initiation frequency on a rRNA operon. The additional rRNA synthesis is inhibited by ppGpp to the same extent as the basal one.The evidence presented points to the existence of a positive control element for rRNA synthesis, which activity depends upon the physiological state of the cell.