You started work in a transcription lab working a with a novel bacteria phage. You isolated an enzyme that has RNA polymerase activity, and you discovered that your new viral RNA polymerase has a unique property. Unlike E. coli RNA polymerase, which prefers starting transcription with ATP, your new viral polymerase prefers starting transcription with GMP. You immediately go to your advisor and tell him that, based on what you learned, you know the directionality of RNA chain growth (3′-to-5′ or 5-to-3′) by your new RNAP.

1. Explain in what direction (3′-to-5′ or 5-to-3′) this enzyme synthesizes RNA and how you know this.

2. What other simple experiment can you do to show that your conclusion is correct, provided you have full access to all rNTPs and 2′-dNTPs?