Hepatic nuclear free and engaged RNA-polymerases in young rats pretreated with 3-methylcholanthrene.

In 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC)-pretreated young rats the free and engaged RNA polymerases were investigated in detail both in the nucleolar and nucleoplasmic fractions. Both functional forms of the nucleolar RNA polymerase (A) show a great stimulation. The maximum increase of the free form up to 235% compared with controls is obtained 24 h after 3-MC administration. The engaged fraction reaches its maximum later. The extranucleolar RNA polymerase (B) in its engaged form shows the maximum effect (160%) after 24 h, whereas the free form is at first diminished and later on increases steadily. The activation of RNA polymerase A and the interconversion process between the free and engaged form of RNA polymerase B seem to play a significant role in the 3-MC-mediated induction.