FURTHER STUDIES ON THE STIMULATION OF PROSTATIC RIBONUCLEIC ACID POLYMERASE BY 5α-DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE—RECEPTOR COMPLEXES

Abstract

SUMMARY The stimulation in vitro of prostatic RNA polymerase activity by prostatic 5α-dihydrotestosterone—receptor complexes has been previously reported. Further investigations into the nature of the stimulation have now been carried out. By use of the selective inhibitor, α-amanitin, and by varying the concentration of ammonium sulphate in the assay media, both the nucleolar and extranucleolar forms of RNA polymerase could be stimulated, depending upon the ionic conditions employed. High ionic strength inhibited stimulation, either by interference with the association between steroid—receptor complexes and chromatin components, or by blocking the conversion of cytoplasmic complexes to a more 'active' form of the complex. 5α-Dihydrotestosterone—receptor complexes appeared to affect the template availability of prostatic chromatin, possibly in a way similar to that of the chromatin-associated proteins.