RNA polymerase from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens infected with phi29 bacteriophage.

DNA-dependent RNA polymerase was purified from uninfected and varphi29-infected Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Differences were observed in the specific activities, template specificities, stability, and sedimentation properties of the two enzymes. A polypeptide of 30,000 molecular weight was found in association with the polymerase of high specific activity from phage-infected cells and was absent from polymerase isolated from uninfected cells. The change in polymerase properties and the appearance of the polypeptide occurred early in phage infection.