Is actin a transcription initiation factor for RNA polymerase B?

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Abstract
We have previously reported that two fractions derived from HeLa cell S100 extracts, the heparin flow‐through and the heparin 0.6 M KCl eluate are required in vitro for efficient and accurate transcription by RNA polymerase class B (II). We have further purified a factor present in the heparin flow‐through fraction, which markedly stimulates specific transcription catalyzed by the heparin 0.6 M KCl eluate. We report here that some of the properties of the stimulatory factor present in our most purified fractions are strikingly similar to those of actin. We demonstrate also that this factor acts at the pre‐initiation level of the transcription reaction.