Histone, a suppressor of chromosomal RNA synthesis

Abstract

We have previously reported(1,2) that chromatin isolated from pea embryos possesses the ability to carry out the DNA-dependent synthesis of RNA from the four riboside triphosphates.(3) The present paper concerns the roles in such synthesis of the several components of chromatin. It will be shown that the DNA of pea embryo chromatin is present in at least two forms, namely, as DNA itself and as DNA bound in nucleohistone complex. It will be further shown that DNA fully complexed with histone is inactive in the support of DNA-dependent RNA synthesis.