Inhibition of transcription in vitro by a non-histone protein isolated from Ehrlich ascites tumor chromatin.

A non-histone protein has been isolated from Ehrlich ascites tumor chromatin. The minimum molecular weight of this non-histone protein, estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis and amino acid analysis, is approximately 10 to 11,000. This non-histone protein is acidic, contains 2.7% alkalilabile phosphorus, binds to DNA, and inhibits transcription of DNA in vitro by the homologous RNA polymerase. The per cent inhibition of RNA synthesis is not affected by increasing amounts of RNA polymerase, but is reduced by addition of excess DNA. In the presence of the non-histone protein, incorporation of [gamma-32P]ATP into RNA in the in vitro RNA synthesizing system is inhibited, with no apparent change in the average chain length of the RNA product. Inhibition of RNA synthesis is completely eliminated if the DNA template is allowed to interact with ATP prior to the addition of the non-histone protein. These results indicate that the observed repression of in vitro RNA synthesis is due to the effect of the non-histone protein on the DNA, inhibiting the initiation of RNA chain formation.