Altered specificity of transfer-ribonucleic acid nucleotidyltransferase in the presence of manganese

1. s-RNA nucleotidyltransferase incorporated CMP into phosphodiesterase-treated s-RNA more rapidly in the presence of Mg(2+) (10mm) than in the presence of Mn(2+) (2mm). UMP was incorporated more rapidly in the presence of Mn(2+), and at high ionic strength the incorporation of CMP was also more rapid in the presence of Mn(2+). 2. The capacity of phosphodiesterase-treated s-RNA for CMP, UMP and AMP was increased in the presence of Mn(2+). Terminal sequences of more than one UMP or AMP residue were synthesized, but these atypical reactions were inhibited when CTP was added. CMP was incorporated rapidly to form -pCpC terminal sequences and then more slowly as longer chains were formed, but very little CMP was incorporated into s-RNA-pCpCpA. 3. CMP was incorporated into phosphodiesterase-treated 5s RNA and ribosomal RNA to form short chains of polyC attached to the primer RNA. This reaction was inhibited by the presence of s-RNA. 4. A small Mn(2+)-dependent incorporation of CMP was also primed by poly(A).(U) and poly(C).(I).     

Studies on the pathogenesis of liver necrosis by α-amanitin. Effect of α-amanitin on ribonucleic acid synthesis and on ribonucleic acid polymerase in mouse liver nuclei

1. Injection of alpha-amanitin to mice causes a decreased incorporation of [6-(14)C]-orotic acid into liver RNA in vivo. 2. The activity of RNA polymerase activated by Mn(2+) and ammonium sulphate is greatly impaired in liver nuclei isolated from mice poisoned with alpha-amanitin, and is inhibited by the addition of the same toxin in vitro. 3. The activity of the Mg(2+)-activated RNA polymerase is only slightly affected by alpha-amanitin either administered to mice or added in vitro.     

Stimulation of ribonucleic acid polymerase activity in vitro by prostatic steroid–protein receptor complexes

A system has been developed which allows the stimulation in vitro of prostatic RNA polymerase by prostatic 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone-protein receptor complexes prepared from the tissues of castrated rats. The reconstitution in vitro of such a system necessitates the purification of several subcellular components. Two 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone-receptor complexes are located in the prostatic soluble supernatant fraction, separable by selective ammonium sulphate fractionation, and one complex can be isolated from the nuclear fraction. In the presence of all these complexes, stimulation of RNA polymerase in intact nuclei and nucleoli was observed. The complexes also increased the activity of the enzyme solubilized from whole nuclei. Greater stimulation of this system was noted in the presence of prostatic chromatin as template, as compared with that observed with calf thymus DNA or liver chromatin as template. The effects of the complexes on subnuclear forms of RNA polymerase, of nucleolar and extranucleolar origin, are also described. RNA polymerase solubilized from nucleoli is more susceptible to stimulation by the 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone-receptor complexes than is the ;nucleoplasmic' enzyme. Stimulation occurs less readily in the presence of Mn(2+) and at high ionic strength than in the presence of Mg(2+) and at low ionic strength. Preliminary experiments show that prostatic nucleolar RNA polymerase transcribes prostatic chromatin poorly as compared with the nucleoplasmic enzyme. The observations reported indicate an involvement of non-histone proteins associated with DNA in the process by which stimulation of enzyme activity by the 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone-receptor complexes is achieved. The implications of these findings in the mechanism of steroid hormone action is considered.     

Decreased ribonucleic acid synthesis in isolated rat liver nuclei during starvation

1. Isolated nuclei from starved rats showed a lowered incorporation of [(14)C]UMP into RNA. 2. The Mg(2+)-dependent incorporation was decreased by 30% after 1 day of starvation, but incorporation in the presence of Mn(2+) and ammonium sulphate decreased only after longer periods of starvation. 3. RNA synthesis by nuclei in the presence of excess of added RNA polymerase was unchanged after 1 day of starvation and was inhibited by 20% after 4 days. 4. The capacity of nuclei to bind actinomycin D was unchanged after 1 day and was decreased by 20% after 4 days of starvation.     

Poliovirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (3D(pol)). Divalent cation modulation of primer, template, and nucleotide selection

We have analyzed the divalent cation specificity of poliovirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, 3D(pol). The following preference was observed: Mn(2+) > Co(2+) > Ni(2+) > Fe(2+) > Mg(2+) > Ca(2+) > Cu(2+), and Zn(2+) was incapable of supporting 3D(pol)-catalyzed nucleotide incorporation. In the presence of Mn(2+), 3D(pol) activity was increased by greater than 10-fold relative to that in the presence of Mg(2+). Steady-state kinetic analysis revealed that the increased activity observed in the presence of Mn(2+) was due, primarily, to a reduction in the K(M) value for 3D(pol) binding to primer/template, without any significant effect on the K(M) value for nucleotide. The ability of 3D(pol) to catalyze RNA synthesis de novo was also stimulated approximately 10-fold by using Mn(2+), and the enzyme was now capable of also utilizing a DNA template for primer-independent RNA synthesis. Interestingly, the use of Mn(2+) as divalent cation permitted 3D(pol) activity to be monitored by following extension of 5'-(32)P-end-labeled, heteropolymeric RNA primer/templates. The kinetics of primer extension were biphasic because of the enzyme binding to primer/template in both possible orientations. When bound in the incorrect orientation, 3D(pol) was capable of efficient addition of nucleotides to the blunt-ended duplex; this activity was also apparent in the presence of Mg(2+). In the presence of Mn(2+), 3D(pol) efficiently utilized dNTPs, ddNTPs, and incorrect NTPs. On average, three incorrect nucleotides could be incorporated by 3D(pol). The ability of 3D(pol) to incorporate the correct dNTP, but not the correct ddNTP, was also observed in the presence of Mg(2+). Taken together, these results provide the first glimpse into the nucleotide specificity and fidelity of the poliovirus polymerase and suggest novel alternatives for the design of primer/templates to study the mechanism of 3D(pol)-catalyzed nucleotide incorporation.     

Temperature and the regulation of enzyme activity in poikilotherms. Properties of rainbow-trout fructose diphosphatase

1. The properties of fructose diphosphatase from the liver of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdnerii) were examined over the physiological temperature range of the organism. 2. Saturation curves for substrate (fructose 1,6-diphosphate) and a cofactor (Mg(2+)) are sigmoidal, and Hill plots of the results suggest a minimum of two interacting fructose 1,6-diphosphate sites and two interacting Mg(2+) sites per molecule of enzyme. 3. Mn(2+)-saturation curves are hyperbolic, and the K(a) for Mn(2+), which inhibits the enzyme at high concentrations, is 50-100-fold lower than the K(a) for Mg(2+). 4. Fructose diphosphatase is inhibited by low concentrations of AMP; this inhibition appears to be decreased and reversed by increasing the concentrations of Mg(2+) and Mn(2+). Higher concentrations of AMP are required to inhibit the trout fructose diphosphatase in the presence of Mn(2+). 5. The affinities of fructose diphosphatase for fructose diphosphate and Mn(2+) appear to be temperature-independent, whereas the affinities for Mg(2+) and AMP are highly temperature-dependent. 6. The pH optimum of the enzyme depends on the concentrations of Mg(2+) and Mn(2+). In addition, pH determines the K(a) for Mg(2+); at high pH, K(a) for Mg(2+) is lowered. 7. The enzyme is inhibited by Ca(2+) and Zn(2+), and the inhibition is competitive with respect to both cations. 8. The possible roles of these ions and AMP in the modulation of fructose diphosphatase and gluconeogenic activity are discussed in relation to temperature adaptation.     

Studies on the solubilized ribonucleic acid polymerase from rat ventral prostate gland

1. By using ultrasonic treatment in media of high ionic strength, the RNA polymerase activities associated with prostatic nuclei and nucleoli can be completely solubilized. Such enzyme preparations are entirely dependent on the provision of added DNA for full activity. 2. The solubilized enzymes from the nucleolar and extranucleolar regions can be separated by ion-exchange chromatography. 3. Based on differences in the optimum DNA templates, pH optima and the effects of ammonium sulphate on the activities in vitro, Mn(2+)- and Mg(2+)-specific enzymes are associated with both the nucleolar and extranucleolar regions of prostatic nuclei. 4. Androgenic hormones administered in vivo have a particularly pronounced effect on the activity of Mg(2+)-dependent enzyme associated with the isolated prostatic nucleolus. 5. Time-course experiments in vivo show that androgens induce a rapid stimulation of the solubilized Mg(2+)-dependent nucleolar enzyme before a pronounced activation of nucleolar chromatin can be measured. 6. The implications of these findings to the mechanism of action of androgenic steroids are discussed.     

The interaction of aflatoxin B1 with polynucleotides and its effect on ribonucleic acid polymerase

1. The interaction of aflatoxin B(1) with different polynucleotides was studied spectrophotometrically. Equations were derived that enable the degree of binding to be determined without first determining the extinction coefficient of the bound form. 2. The interaction with calf thymus DNA obeys first-order relationships with an association constant of 0.40mm(-1), but there is some evidence for a secondary binding process from results obtained at 390nm. 3. The spectral shifts decreased in the order polyadenylic acid+polyuridylic acid>DNA>polyadenylic acid>polyadenylic acid+polyinosinic acid. Polycytidylic acid, polyuridylic acid, polyinosinic acid (both single- and triple-stranded), AMP, CMP, GMP and UMP did not interact with aflatoxin. It was concluded that there is a requirement for the amino group of adenine (or possibly guanine) for binding of aflatoxin to polynucleotides to occur. 4. Binding is reversed by increasing ionic strength, and by Mn(2+) and Mg(2+) in the concentration range studied (0-5mm). The effect of the Mn(2+) or Mg(2+) was far greater than would be expected on the basis of their ionic strength. With both the bivalent cations and sodium chloride the reversal is greatest with double-stranded polynucleotides. 5. Inhibition in vitro of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase of Escherichia coli by aflatoxin B(1) was detected only in the absence of Mg(2+) and at concentrations of Mn(2+) below the optimum for RNA synthesis in vitro. 6. The degree of inhibition (maximally 30%) was dependent on the concentration of Mn(2+) and decreased during incubation.     

The inhibition of skeletal-muscle fructose 1,6-diphosphatase by adenosine monophosphate

1. The present study extends the finding of Krebs & Woodford (1965) that muscle fructose diphosphatase is more sensitive to AMP inhibition than liver fructose diphosphatase. 2. Hen breast fructose diphosphatase has a K(i) for AMP of 0.1mum; the plot of percentage inhibition is non-sigmoid and the reciprocal plot of activity against AMP concentration is sometimes linear. 3. Percentage inhibition plots for other muscle fructose diphosphatases are sigmoid curves which exhibit different threshold responses to the AMP concentration. 4. The intracellular content of AMP in all muscles tested exceeds the inhibition concentration range of AMP. 5. The sensitivity of muscle fructose diphosphatase to AMP inhibition is decreased by the presence of Mg(2+) or Mn(2+) ions; in the presence of Mn(2+) the inhibition curve for hen breast fructose diphosphatase becomes sigmoid. 6. From the formation constants for the Mg(2+) and Mn(2+) chelates, the effect of these ions in chelation of AMP can be calculated. Although chelation of AMP can explain the Mg(2+) effect, it cannot explain the marked relief of AMP inhibition by Mn(2+). 7. It is suggested that Mn(2+) has a specific effect on this enzyme which reduces the sensitivity to AMP inhibition.     

The adenosine-triphosphatase activity of dissociated acto-heavy-meromyosin

1. At low ionic strength, when turbidity and viscosity measurements indicated dissociation of acto-heavy-meromyosin, its adenosine triphosphatase was strongly activated by Mg(2+) and Ca(2+). 2. The characteristics of the adenosine triphosphatase of dissociated acto-heavy-meromyosin in the presence of Mg(2+) were similar to those reported for myofibrils and actomyosin. 3. In the presence of Ca(2+) the adenosine-triphosphatase activity was much less sensitive to ionic strength than was the case with Mg(2+). 4. At low ionic strength Mg(2+) was more effective in maintaining the dissociation of acto-heavy-meromyosin in the presence of ATP than was Ca(2+). This difference was not apparent when ATP was replaced by ITP. 5. Although the recovery of viscosity was complete on reassociation of acto-heavy-meromyosin the turbidity did not return to the original value. 6. The general implications of Mg(2+) activation of acto-heavy-meromyosin when classical interpretation indicates dissociation of the complex are discussed.     

The effects of copper and other ions on the ribonucleic acid polymerase activity of isolated rat liver nuclei

1. The effects of various ions on the Mg(2+)- and Mn(2+)/ammonium sulphate-activated RNA polymerase activities of isolated liver nuclei were studied. 2. The Mg(2+)-activated RNA polymerase reaction was inhibited by more than 60% by Cd(2+), SeO(3) (2-), Be(2+), Cu(2+), Co(2+), Ca(2+) and La(3+), all at 1mm concentrations. 3. The Mn(2+)/ammonium sulphate-activated RNA polymerase reaction was strongly inhibited by Hg(2+), Cd(2+), Cu(2+) and Ag(+). The effect of Hg(2+), Cd(2+) and Ag(+) was relieved by cysteine or mercaptoethanol. 4. Inhibition by Cu(2+) was not affected by addition of DNA, and was relieved only partially by EDTA or histidine. 5. No changes of RNA polymerase activities were observed in nuclei isolated from the liver of rats treated with copper albuminate.     

In vitro RNA synthesis by intact rat brain nuclei

The characteristics of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity in intact rat cerebral cortex nuclei tested at low ionic strength are presented. The system was most dependent on the presence of spermidine and an ATP-generating system and to a lesser extent on Mg2+ and K+ for maximal incorporation. Substitution of Mg2+ by Mn2+ or of K+ by Na+ resulted in substantially less activity than under the optimum conditions described. Maximal incorporation was about 10 per cent that of brain nuclear systems of high ionic strength. In addition, the labelling patterns of the in vitro RNA products were shown to be very similar to those found in vivo. The stability of isolated nuclei toward degradation of RNA synthetic capacity and products formed was much greater than that of a similar liver system.     

The control by Ca2+ of the polyphosphoinositide phosphodiesterase and the Ca2+-pump ATPase in human erythrocytes

1. Both the Ca(2+)-pump ATPase and the polyphosphoinositide phosphodiesterase of the erythrocyte membrane can, when assayed under appropriate conditions, be activated by Ca(2+) in the micromolar range. We have therefore compared the mechanisms and affinities for Ca(2+) activation of the two enzymes in human erythrocyte membranes, to see whether the polyphosphoinositide phosphodiesterase would be active in normal healthy erythrocytes. 2. At physiological ionic strength and in the presence of calmodulin, the Ca(2+)-pump ATPase was activated by Ca(2+) in a highly co-operative manner, with half-maximal activation occurring at about 0.3mum-Ca(2+). At an optimal Ca(2+) concentration, calmodulin stimulated the Ca(2+)-sensitive ATPase activity about 10-fold. 3. Ca(2+) activated the polyphosphoinositide phosphodiesterase in a non-co-operative manner. The Ca(2+) requirements for breakdown of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate were identical, which supports our previous conclusion that Ca(2+) activates a single polyphosphoinositide phosphodiesterase that degrades both lipids with equal facility. Added calmodulin did not affect the activity of the polyphosphoinositide phosphodiesterase. 4. At low ionic strength in the absence of Mg(2+), half-maximal activation of the phosphodiesterase was at about 3mum-Ca(2+). The presence of 1mm-Mg(2+) shifted the Ca(2+) activation curve to the right, as did elevation of the ionic strength. When the Ca(2+)-pump ATPase and the polyphosphoinositide phosphodiesterase were assayed in the same incubations and under conditions of intracellular ionic strength and Mg(2+) concentration, the ATPase was fully activated at 3mum-Ca(2+), whereas no polyphosphoinositide phosphodiesterase activity was detected below 100mum-Ca(2+). 5. The Ca(2+)-pump ATPase of the erythrocyte membrane normally maintains the Ca(2+) concentration of healthy erythrocytes below approx. 0.1mum. It therefore seems unlikely that the polyphosphoinositide phosphodiesterase of the erythrocyte membrane ever expresses its activity in a healthy erythrocyte.     

DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity of isolated zooflagellates (Crithidia oncopelti) nucleoli

A fraction of nucleoli is isolated from zooflagellates (Crithidia oncopelti) nuclei, its DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity is studied at different temperature, ionic strength and Mg2+, Mn2+ and antibiotic concentrations. The effect of some factors and alpha-amantine on RNA polymerase activity of exonucleolar chromatin was studied as a control. A comparison of heat denaturation of nucleoli and chromatin RNA polymerase activities within the temperature range 30--55 degrees C has revealed a higher thermosensitivity of nucleoli RNA polymerase. Substitution of Mg2+ with equivalent amount of Mn2+ results in a considerable decrease of rRNA synthesis in nucleoli. Nucleoli RNA polymerase activity in the presence of Mg2+ is sensitive to the elevation of ionic strength from 0.12 to 1.30 u; chromatin RNA polymerase activity in the presence of Mn2+ is maximal at high ionic strength (1.30 mu). alpha-Amantine and cycloheximide at high concentrations (10 and 200 mkg/ml) practically do not affect RNA polymerase activity of nucleoli. Nucleoli RNA polymerase of zooflagellates (Crithidia oncopelti) is similar to the A-form of the enzyme in higher eukaryotes.     

Poliovirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (3Dpol): pre-steady-state kinetic analysis of ribonucleotide incorporation in the presence of Mn2+

The use of Mn(2+) as the divalent cation cofactor in polymerase-catalyzed reactions instead of Mg(2+) often diminishes the stringency of substrate selection and incorporation fidelity. We have solved the complete kinetic mechanism for single nucleotide incorporation catalyzed by the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase from poliovirus (3D(pol)) in the presence of Mn(2+). The steps employed during a single cycle of nucleotide incorporation are identical to those employed in the presence of Mg(2+) and include a conformational-change step after nucleotide binding to achieve catalytic competence of the polymerase-primer/template-nucleotide complex. In the presence of Mn(2+), the conformational-change step is the primary determinant of enzyme specificity, phosphoryl transfer appears as the sole rate-limiting step for nucleotide incorporation, and the rate of phosphoryl transfer is the same for all nucleotides: correct and incorrect. Because phosphoryl transfer is the rate-limiting step in the presence of Mn(2+), it was possible to determine that the maximal phosphorothioate effect in this system is in the range of 8-11. This information permitted further interrogation of the nucleotide-selection process in the presence of Mg(2+), highlighting the capacity of this cation to permit the enzyme to use the phosphoryl-transfer step for nucleotide selection. The inability of Mn(2+) to support a reduction in the efficiency of phosphoryl transfer when incorrect substrates are employed is the primary explanation for the loss of fidelity observed in the presence of this cofactor. We propose that the conformational change involves reorientation of the triphosphate moiety of the bound nucleotide into a conformation that permits binding of the second metal ion required for catalysis. In the presence of Mg(2+), this conformation requires interactions with the enzyme that permit a reduction in catalytic efficiency to occur during an attempt to incorporate an incorrect nucleotide. Adventitious interactions in the cofactor-binding site with bound Mn(2+) may diminish fidelity by compensating for interaction losses used to modulate catalytic efficiency when incorrect nucleotides are bound in the presence of Mg(2+).     

Effect of Mn2+ and Mg2+ ions on DNA conformation

The DNA conformation was studied at different relation between Na+ and Me2+ (Mn2+ or Mg2+) ions in solution at the fixed total ionic strength mu. At low mu the intrinsic viscosity of DNA [eta] decreased to the limited fixed value with the increasing of Mn2+ or Mg2+ concentration (CMe2+). At higher mu greater than or equal to 0.1 M [eta] doesn't depend on CMe2+. The presence of Mn2+ in solution caused a decrease of the optical anisotropy of DNA and the value of epsilon 260 (p) independent on ionic strengths. In contrary, these parameters of DNA didn't change in solution with Mg2+-concentration. The observed differences in the effects of Mn2+ and Mg2+ on the optical properties of the macromolecule suggest that there are different modes of binding of these ions to DNA. It has been concluded, that Mn2+ interacts with bases and phosphate groups of DNA, but Mg2+--only with phosphates. The persistence length of DNA doesn't depend on Me2+ concentration under the conditions of the experiment (mu greater than or equal to 0.005 M).     

Bypass of N²-ethylguanine by human DNA polymerase κ

The efficiency and fidelity of nucleotide incorporation and next-base extension by DNA polymerase (pol) κ past N(2)-ethyl-Gua were measured using steady-state and rapid kinetic analyses. DNA pol κ incorporated nucleotides and extended 3' termini opposite N(2)-ethyl-Gua with measured efficiencies and fidelities similar to that opposite Gua indicating a role for DNA pol κ at the insertion and extension steps of N(2)-ethyl-Gua bypass. The DNA pol κ was maximally activated to similar levels by a twenty-fold lower concentration of Mn(2+) compared to Mg(2+). In addition, the steady state analysis indicated that high fidelity DNA pol κ-catalyzed N(2)-ethyl-Gua bypass is Mg(2+)-dependent. Strikingly, Mn(2+) activation of DNA pol κ resulted in a dramatically lower efficiency of correct nucleotide incorporation opposite both N(2)-ethyl-Gua and Gua compared to that detected upon Mg(2+) activation. This effect is largely governed by diminished correct nucleotide binding as indicated by the high K(m) values for dCTP insertion opposite N(2)-ethyl-Gua and Gua with Mn(2+) activation. A rapid kinetic analysis showed diminished burst amplitudes in the presence of Mn(2+) compared to Mg(2+) indicating that DNA pol κ preferentially utilizes Mg(2+) activation. These kinetic data support a DNA pol κ wobble base pairing mechanism for dCTP incorporation opposite N(2)-ethyl-Gua. Furthermore, the dramatically different polymerization efficiencies of the Y-family DNA pols κ and ι in the presence of Mn(2+) suggest a metal ion-dependent regulation in coordinating the activities of these DNA pols during translesion synthesis.     

Differences between manganese and magnesium ions with regard to fatty acid biosynthesis, acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase activity and malonyl-coenzyme A decarboxylation

Fatty acid-biosynthetic activity in rat liver cytosol fractions is much greater when the bivalent cation in the assay system is Mn(2+) than when it is Mg(2+). This difference between bivalent cations can be abolished if the cytosol fractions are preincubated with isocitrate and the bivalent cation for 30min before assay of fatty acid-biosynthetic activity. In a search for the biochemical basis of this phenomenon, the following differences between Mg(2+) and Mn(2+) were established: (1) Mn(2+) promotes acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity of the protomeric form of the enzyme under conditions in which Mg(2+) does not; (2) Mn(2+)+ATP have little inhibitory effect on the polymerization of acetyl-CoA carboxylase whereas Mg(2+)+ATP are markedly inhibitory; (3) under conditions in which utilization of malonyl-CoA in condensation reactions is prevented, the steady-state concentration of malonyl-CoA formed by a cytosol fraction is much greater with Mn(2+) than with Mg(2+). The role that each of these specific differences between Mn(2+) and Mg(2+) might play in causing liver cytosol preparations to have greater fatty acid-biosynthetic activity in the presence of Mn(2+) is discussed.     

The effect of aflatoxin B1 on normal and cortisol-stimulated rat liver ribonucleic acid synthesis

1. Aflatoxin B(1), administered in vivo, inhibits the incorporation of [(14)C]orotic acid in vivo into rat liver nuclei, and also inhibits both Mg(2+)- and Mn(2+)-dependent RNA polymerase activities in nuclei assayed in vitro. 2. Aflatoxin B(1) inhibits the cortisol-induced increase in incorporation of [(14)C]leucine in vivo, but does not affect the control value of this activity. 3. Aflatoxin B(1) administered in vivo inhibits the increase in nuclear Mg(2+)-dependent RNA polymerase activity, assayed in vitro, which results from the treatment with cortisol. 4. Adrenalectomy causes a decrease in Mg(2+)-dependent RNA polymerase activity. The effect on this enzymic activity of adrenalectomy plus treatment with aflatoxin B(1) is no greater than that of treatment with aflatoxin B(1) alone. 5. These results suggest that the inhibition of cortisol-stimulated biochemical pathways by aflatoxin B(1) is due to an inhibition of cortisol-stimulated RNA synthesis. 6. The cytoplasmic action of aflatoxin is thought to be due to a competition for receptor sites on the endoplasmic reticulum between steroid hormones and aflatoxin B(1). No evidence was obtained for a similar competition for nuclear receptor sites between [(3)H]cortisol and aflatoxin B(1). 7. No differences were observed between the activities of RNA polymerase preparations solubilized from control or aflatoxin-inhibited nuclei. 8. No differences in ;melting' profiles were observed between DNA and chromatin preparations isolated from control nuclei or from aflatoxin-inhibited nuclei. 9. It is suggested that aflatoxin B(1) exerts its effect on RNA polymerase by decreasing the template capacity of the chromatin and that the aflatoxin ;target' area of the chromatin includes that region which is stimulated by cortisol. This process, however, does not involve inhibiting the movement of cortisol from the outside of the hepatic cell to the nuclear chromatin.