Rna polymerase from opaque-2 and normal Zea mays endosperm

Abstract

RNA polymerase from Opaque-2 and normal maize showed qualitative differences during endosperm development. DEAE-Sephadex column chromatography indicated the presence of one and three RNA polymerases respectively at 15 and 25 days post-pollination. The polymerases from Opaque-2 and normal endosperms at 15 days post-pollination showed considerable differences in Mn 2+ optimum. The optimum Mn 2+ for normal polymerase was ten times higher than for Opaque-2 polymerase. The polymerase activity from endosperms at 15 days post-pollination was due to nucleoplasmic RNA polymerase II.