The Stimulation of RNA Synthesis by M Factor

Central to an understanding of cellular regulation is a detailed knowledge of the RNA polymerase and of cellular elements which influence RNA polymerase activity. One such element is the σ protein, a protein normally tightly associated with RNA polymerase which is required for effective and specific initiation of RNA synthesis (Burgess, Travers, Dunn, and Bautz, 1969; Travers and Burgess, 1969; Krakow et al., 1969; Bautz et al., 1969; Hinkle and Chamberlin, this volume).