The effects of the exotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis on DNA-dependent RNA polymerases from rat liver were examined. The exotoxin inhibits all RNA polymerase activity at both low and high ionic strength in intact nuclei, and soluble enzymes are similarly affected. This inhibition is relieved by ATP. Dephosphorylated exotoxin did not inhibit the soluble enzymes. Nucleolar and nucleoplasmic RNA polymerases respond to different concentration ranges of exotoxin, and the compound can be used in intact nuclei to isolate the nucleoplasmic activity.
