Uniform algebras on the sphere invariant under group actions

It is shown under certain conditions that a uniform algebra on the unit sphere S in C ² that is invariant under the action of the 2-torus must be C(S). Contrasting with this, an example is presented showing that the statement becomes false when 2 is replaced by n > 2. It is also shown that C(M) is the only uniform algebra on a smooth manifold M that is invariant under a transitive Lie group action on its maximal ideal space. The results presented answer a question raised by Ronald Douglas in connection with a conjecture of William Arveson.