Extensive synthesis of poly[r(G-C)] using Escherichia coli RNA polymerase.

Conditions have been found that allow for extensive synthesis of poly[r(G-C)] using Escherichia coli RNA polymerase with a poly[d(I-C) X poly[d(I-C)] template. The extensive synthesis, in which many copies of the template were produced by the enzyme, continued for 24 h. Repeated addition of the template was necessary for synthesis to continue, as the poly[r(G-C)] appeared to be binding to the template, inhibiting transcription by the polymerase. Four hundred ODU, or 20 mg of the poly[r(G-C)] has been prepared using 0.3 mg of protein.