RNA Polymerase B levels during the cell cycle ofPhysarum polycephalum.

Tritiated α-amanitin has been used as a specific and sensitive probe to estimate the number of RNA polymerase B molecules in isolated nuclei, chromatin and nucleoids, obtained from macroplasmodia ofPhysarum polycephalum. During mitosis (metaphase±10 min) there is at least 10-fold less RNA polymerase B than at all phases of the cell cycle, even if DNA replication has been blocked in vivo. It is concluded that many of the RNA polymerase B molecules leave the chromatin during decondensation of the chromosomes in telophase of the synchronous nuclear division ofPhysarum.