Robert G. Roeder investigates transcription and its regulation. His 1974 study with Roberto Weinmann helped identify which RNA polymerase produces transfer RNA and 5S ribosomal RNA. The researchers compared sensitivity to alpha-amanitin in transcription by isolated cell nuclei with the sensitivities of separated polymerase activities.[ref]
Role of DNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase III in the Transcription of the tRNA and 5S RNA Genes by Roberto Weinmann and Robert G. Roeder. Abstract: inhibitor-response comparisons in nuclei and separated polymerases
Matching these responses supported the role of RNA polymerase III. The experiment connected production of particular RNA products to a biochemical activity, instead of assuming that every gene in a cell nucleus is transcribed by the same enzyme.
Portrait of Robert G. Roeder
. Portrait linked from the identified Rockefeller University laboratory profile. Source. New to topics? Read the docs here!