Translation and identification of the viral mRNA species isolated from subcellular fractions of vesicular stomatitis virus-infected cells.

The cytoplasm of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-infected BHK cells has been separated into a fraction containing the membrane-bound polysomes and the remaining supernatant fraction. Total poly(A)-containing RNA was isolated from each fraction and purified. A 17S class of VSV mRNA was found associated almost exclusively with the membrane-bound polysomes, whereas 14,5S and 12S RNAs were found mostly in the postmembrane cytoplasmic supernatant. Poly(A)-containing VSV RNA synthesized in vitro by purified virus was resolved into the same size classes. The individual RNA fractions isolated from VSV-infected cells or synthesized in vitro were translated in cell-free extracts of wheat germ, and their polypeptide products were compared by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis. The corresponding in vivo and in vitro RNA fractions qualitatively direct the synthesis of the same viral polypeptides and therefore appear to contain the same mRNA species. By tryptic peptide analysis of their translation products, the in vivo VSV mRNA species have been identified. The 17S RNA, which is compartmentalized on membrane-bound polysomes, codes for a protein of molecular weight 63,000 (P-63) which is most probably a nonglycosylated form of the viral glycoprotein, G. Of the viral RNA species present in the remaining cytoplasmic supernatant, the 14.5S RNA codes almost exclusively for the N protein, whereas the 12S RNA codes predominantly for both the NS and M proteins of the virion.     

Changes in Wheat Leaf Polysomal Messenger RNA Populations during the Early Stages of Rust Infection: EFFECTS OF CHLORAMPHENICOL AND LINCOMYCIN ON CELL-FREE TRANSLATION BY POLYSOMES FROM HEALTHY AND INFECTED LEAVES

Polysomes isolated from a susceptible variety of wheat leaves (cultivar W2691) and those inoculated with the wheat stem rust fungus (f. sp. tritici, race 126-ANZ-6, 7) were incubated in a cell-free protein-synthesizing system. Under these conditions, different size classes of polypeptides, ranging in molecular weight from 10,000 to 80,000, are radiolabeled. Using double-isotope labeling technique, we show that some discrete size classes of polypeptides are synthesized in significantly greater quantitites by polysomes from inoculated leaves compared to the corresponding size classes synthesized by polysomes from healthy leaves. These results confirm our previous observation that there are significant changes in the wheat leaf polysomal messenger RNA populations at 3 days after inoculation with the rust fungus.The effects of the organelle-specific inhibitors of protein synthesis, chloramphenicol and lincomycin, on in vitro polysomal messenger RNA translation were investigated. The polypeptides synthesized by polysomes from healthy and inoculated leaves in the presence of chloramphenicol were compared. The results show that, even in the presence of this antibiotic, the polysomes from inoculated leaves synthesize greater quantities of some size classes of polypeptides. These data indicate that changes in polysomal messenger RNA populations involve, at least in part, cytoplasmic messenger RNA.     

Physical and functional heterogeneity in TYMV RNA: evidence for the existence of an independent messenger coding for coat protein.

Turnip yellow mosaic virus RNA can be separated into two distinct components of 2 times 10(6) and 300 000 daltons molecular weight after moderate heat treatment in the presence of SDS or EDTA. The two species cannot have arisen by accidental in vitro degradation of a larger RNA, as they both possess capped 5' ends. Analysis of the newly synthesized proteins resulting from translation of each RNA by a wheat germ extract shows that the 300 000 molecular weight RNA can be translated very efficiently into coat protein. When translated in vitro the longer RNA gave a series of high molecular weight polypeptides but only very small amounts of a polypeptide having about the same mass as the coat protein. Thus our results suggest that the small RNA is the functional messenger for coat protein synthesis in infected cells.     

Pyruvate carboxylase from Aspergillus nidulans. Effects of regulatory modifiers on the structure of the enzyme

Pigment-binding protein of the facultatively phototrophic bacterium Rhodospeudomonas capsulata could be selectively synthesized in toluene-treated cells as well as in homologous and heterologous cell-free translation systems by isolated polysomes. It is shown that the pigment-binding polypeptides of the light-harvesting complexes are encoded by messenger RNA of extreme longevity. The dependence of their synthesis on the concomitant synthesis of tetrapyrroles was demonstrated in the toluene-treated cells. The large Mr-28 000 polypeptide of the reaction center and the Mr-10 000 pigment-binding polypeptide of the light-harvesting complex II were found to be synthesized by free (water-soluble) polysomes without a cleavable 'leader' or 'signal' peptide [reviewed by W. Wickner (1979) Annu. Rev. Biochem. 48, 23-45]. The Mr-10 000 polypeptide, as synthesized in vitro, was studied in more detail. Unlike the membrane-assembled polypeptide in vivo it was insoluble in an organic solvent mixture (chloroform/methanol 1:1, v/v). After detergent denaturation in the presence of membrane isolated from the organism it became organic-solvent-soluble. Obviously the polypeptide could be induced to assume alternative conformations in which its apolar residues were either exposed to the solvent or buried within. These findings, in agreement with Wickner's hypothesis, indicate that the Mr-10 000 polypeptide may enter the lipid bilayer by a 'membrane-triggered' conformational change.     

Endogenous messenger ribonucleic acid-directed polypeptide chain elongation in a cell-free system from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

An in vitro protein-synthesizing system from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been made by a modification of the procedure for preparation of the Krebs ascites system. The protein synthetic activity is directed by endogenous messenger. Amino acid incorporation occurs over a broad range of magnesium and potassium concentration, being maximal at 6 and 85 mM, respcetively. The activity of this in vitro system is due to the elongation of polypeptides whose synthesis was initiated in vivo. The cell extract does not initiate synthesis with endogenous messenger ribonucleic acid (RNA), since 1 muM pactamycin, which blocks initiation on prokaryotic or eukaryotic ribosomes invitro, fails to decrease amino acid incorporation. Ten micromolar cycloheximide, however, inhibits incorporation by 87%. Moreover, this system is not stimulated by rabbit reticulocyte polysomal RNA, which directs the synthesis of hemoglobin in extracts of Krebs ascites cells. The translation of this messenger is not masked by high endogenous incorporation, because autoradiography of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels containing [35-S]methionine-labeled products shows that no hemoglobin is made. Preincubation of this system, which reduces the high endogenous incorporation by 80%, does not increase its capacity to be stimulated by either rabbit reticulocyte RNA or yeast polyriboadenylic acid-containing RNA. Polyuridylic acid, however, does stimulate polyphenylalanine incorporation. The failure of the yeast lysate to be stimulated by or to translate added natural messenger RNA, its insensitivity to low levels of pactamycin but inhibition by cycloheximide, and its relatively high magnesium optimum (the same as that for polyuridylic acid) suggest that it elongates but does not initiate polypeptide chains.     

Respiratory syncytial virus mRNA coding assignments.

The polypeptide coding assignments for six of the respiratory syncytial virus-specific mRNAs were determined by translation of the individual mRNAs in vitro. The coding assignments of the RNAs are as follows. RNA band 1 is complex and can be separated into at least two components on the basis of electrophoretic mobility (molecular weights [MWs] approximately equal to 0.21 X 10(6) and 0.31 X 10(6), respectively) that code for three polypeptides of 9.5, 11, and 14 kilodaltons (K). RNA 2 (MW, 0.39 X 10(6)) codes for a 34K polypeptide; RNA 3 (MW, 0.40 X 10(6)) codes for a 26K polypeptide; RNA 4 (MW, 0.47 X 10(6)) codes for a 42K polypeptide; and RNA 5 (MW, 0.74 X 10(6)) codes for a 59K polypeptide. By limited-digest peptide mapping, the 34, 26, and 42K polypeptides synthesized in vitro appeared to be unique. Additionally, peptide mapping showed that the 34, 26, and 42K polypeptides synthesized in vitro were indistinguishable from their counterparts synthesized in infected cells. Thus, the 34, 26, and 42K polypeptides coded for by mRNAs 2, 3, and 4, respectively, were identified as the respiratory syncytial virus phosphoprotein (34K), matrix protein (26K), and nucleocapsid protein (42K), respectively. RNA 5 was shown to code for a 59K polypeptide. The 59K polypeptide synthesized in vitro did not comigrate with any polypeptide specific to infected cells, suggesting that it is a candidate for co- or post-translational modification.