Effect of the exotoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis on normal and ecdysone-stimulated ribonucleic acid polymerase activity in intact nuclei from the fat-body of Sarcophaga bullata larvae.

A nuclear preparation from the fat-body of Sarcophaga bullata was obtained which incorporates nucleotides at a steady rate. Two activities, differing in their response to alpha-amanitin, are present. The activities are not separated by changes in the concentration of (NH(4))(2)SO(4) as effectively as in mammalian nuclei. The activity resistant to alpha-amanitin is stimulated by ecdysone, and both normal and the ecdysone-stimulated activities are inhibited by the exotoxin. The amanitin-sensitive enzyme is also inhibited by exotoxin, but higher concentrations are required.