Two fractions required for cell-free protein synthesis with components from rabbit reticulocytes

An extract was prepared from rabbit reticulocyte ribosomes after treatment with potassium chloride as described by Miller, Hamada, Yang, Cohen & Schweet (1967). This extract has been shown to convert monoribosomes into polyribosomes during protein synthesis in vitro (Cohen, 1968). The nature of this extract was studied in greater detail. Centrifugation of the extract through a sucrose density gradient separated the activity into a fast-sedimenting fraction. The two fractions were shown to have different functions in stimulating cell-free protein synthesis and their active components were shown to be protein or partly protein in nature. Each fraction was analysed by electrophoresis and in the analytical ultracentrifuge. It was concluded that the active component in the fast-sedimenting fraction had a sedimentation coefficient of 15.5s and that of the slow-sedimenting fraction 10.5s.     

Cytokinin-induced activation of polyribosomes in the protonema of Ceratodon purpureus

A ribosomal preparation from N⁶-isopentenyladenine-treated protonema of Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid. exhibited an increased activity of protein synthesis in a cell-free system as compared to a control preparation. The ratio of polyribosomes to monoribosomes was the same in both preparations, and it is assumed that an activation of pre-existing polyribosomes was responsible for the increased efficiency in protein synthesis. An electrophoretic fractionation of the in vitro translation product showed an enhanced synthesis of some polypeptide fractions in the cytokinin variant.     

Protein biosynthesis in a homologous, cell-free system in the presence of chick embryo RNA isolated from free and membrane-bound polyribosomes.

Protein synthesis has been studied in a cell-free system from chick embryo, in the presence of homologous RNA isolated from free and endoplasmic reticulum-bound polyribosomes. The two RNA fractions showed equal activities in total protein synthesis. However, while the RNA from bound polyribosomes mainly supported synthesis of high molecular weight, TCA-insoluble polypeptides, the RNA from free polyribosomes was more active in the synthesis of low molecular weight, TCA-soluble polypeptides. Optimal conditions for translation of the two RNA's under study were different when studied in a cell-free system with reduced content of endogenous matrix. Collagen synthesized in the system was identified by collagenase digestion. Collagen synthesis was demonstrated only in the presence of RNA from endoplasmic reticulum-bound polyribosomes, and represented 16-19% of total protein synthesis.     

In vitro translation of cytosolic and peroxisomal epoxide hydrolase and catalase on liver polyribosomes from untreated and clofibrate-treated C57B1/6 mice

Free and membrane-bound polyribosomes were isolated from the livers of untreated and clofibrate-treated male C57B1/6 mice. The in vitro translation products were investigated in a rabbit reticulocyte cell-free system by immunoprecipitation of cytosolic epoxide hydrolase, catalase and albumin. The soluble forms of epoxide hydrolase present in cytosol and in peroxisomes were found to be synthesized on free polyribosomes and could not be distinguished from each other, since only one primary translation product was found with the methods used. Clofibrate treatment was found to increase total protein synthesis, synthesis of soluble epoxide hydrolase and translational efficiency of the isolated polyribosomes.     

Trichodermin,a possible inhibitor of the termination process of protein synthesis

The mode of action of the antibiotic, trichodermin, on yeast cells has been investigated. Trichodermin specifically inhibits protein synthesis and, during the in vivo inhibition of protein synthesis, ribosomes remain in polyribosomes rather than shifting to monoribosomes. This observation suggests that trichodermin inhibits either an elongation step or a termination step of protein biosynthesis. These two possibilities were distinguished by comparing the action of trichodermin with that of cycloheximide, a known elongation inhibitor, upon the reformation of polyribosomes during recovery from a block in polypeptide chain initiation. Cycloheximide slows the recovery of polyribosomes from monoribosomes following a block in polypeptide chain initiation whereas trichodermin enhances the recovery of polyribosomes. This observation is interpreted to mean that trichodermin primarily inhibits the termination step of protein biosynthesis.     

Evidence for differential regulation of two classes of poly(A) RNA inBlastocladiella emersonii zoospores

The poly(A) RNA in zoospores ofBlastocladiella emersonii contains RNA synthesized during the growth phase (GP poly(A) RNA) and late sporulation (LS poly(A) RNA). LS poly(A) RNA synthesized during the final 30 minutes of sporulation is bound exclusively to polyribosomes which comprise approximately 50% of the total zoospore ribosome population. In contrast, GP poly(A) RNA is bound to zoospore monoribosomes. During the final 30 minutes of sporulation, GP poly(A) RNA which is bound to polyribosomes makes a transition to monoribosomes. Zoospore monoribosomes and RNA extracted from zoospore monoribosomes are inactivein vitro while both zoospore polyribosomes and RNA extracted from zoospore polyribosomes stimulate protein synthesis in the wheat germin vitro system. Sedimentation of poly(A) RNA from zoospore monoribosomes on dimethyl sulfoxide gradients revealed that the GP poly(A) RNA was of sufficiently high molecular weight to code for average-sized proteins. These denaturing gradients failed to activate the zoospore monoribosome RNA. The results suggest that the inability to translate zoospore monoribosomesin vitro is due to some property or modification of the zoospore monoribosome poly(A) RNA. Zoospore monoribosomes bound to poly(A) RNA contain an average of two tRNA molecules while zoospore polyribosomes have an average of less than one tRNA bound. This suggests the two classes of ribosomes are blocked at different steps in the elongation process.     

Shut-off of actin biosynthesis in adenovirus serotype-2-infected cells

Adenovirus produces a dramatic shut-off of host protein synthesis after infection of HeLa cells. The level of actin messenger RNAs remained relatively unchanged after viral infection, when assayed by in vitro translation and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis of the proteins or hybridization of the total cytoplasmic RNAs to the human actin gene. The distribution of actin mRNA in the polyribosomes is altered after adenovirus infection, with small polyribosomes and monoribosomes of the infected cells occupied by actin messages untranslatable in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate. The large polyribosomes still retain enough functional mRNAs to provide significant levels of actin protein in a rabbit reticulocyte in vitro translation system. In contrast, in homologous infected cell lysates, the translation of exogenous actin mRNA is greatly reduced when compared to uninfected HeLa cell lysates. In nuclease-treated uninfected or infected HeLa cell-free extracts, translation of viral mRNA is equally efficient and higher than that of actin mRNA. Thus, translational regulatory mechanisms which include inactivation of a part of the actin mRNA population accompanied by displacement to small polysomes and/or virus-induced modification of the cellular translational machinery to discriminate against cellular actin mRNA seem to account for the sharp reduction in actin protein synthesis of adenovirus-infected cells.     

Biosynthesis of collagen and other proteins on tightly and loosely bound polyribosomes from chick embryos]

Free polyribosomes and polyribosomes bound to endoplasmic membranes were isolated from 10-day-old chick embryos by differential centrifugation. The tightly and loosely bound polyribosomal fractions were isolated from the membrane-bound polyribosomes using 0,5 M KCl. The synthesis of collagen and non-collagen proteins on the polyribosomes were studied in a homologous cell-free system. It was shown that the polyribosomes tightly bound to the membranes possess a lower protein-synthesizing activity as compared to free and loosely bound polyribosomes. The amount of bacterial collagenase-cleaved polypeptides in the protein product synthesized on the polyribosomes tightly and loosely bound to the memranes and on free polyribosomes is 31, 23 and 9%, respectively. The data obtained suggest that the loosely bound polyribosomes are actively involved in collagen synthesis and that this fraction is not a contamination of free polyribosomes in the preparations of totally bound polyribosomes. The role of tightly and loosely bound polyribosomes in the formation of the membrane polyribosomal complex is discussed.     

Temperature-sensitive Yeast Mutant Defective in Ribonucleic Acid Production

A single, recessive mutation in a nuclear gene confers a temperature-sensitive growth response in a mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, ts(-) 136. The mutant grows normally at 23 C, but exhibits a rapid and preferential inhibition of ribonucleic acid (RNA) accumulation after a shift to 36 C, demonstrating a defect in stable RNA production. Cultures of the mutant which were shifted from 23 to 36 C display the following phenomena which indicate that messenger RNA (mRNA), as well as stable RNA production, is defective. The entrance of pulse-labeled RNA into cytoplasmic polyribosomes is even more strongly inhibited than is net RNA accumulation. The rate of protein synthesis, at first unaffected, decreases slowly; this decrease is paralleled by the decay of polyribosomes to monoribosomes with a half-time of 23 min. The polyribosomes which remain after a 30-min preincubation of the mutant at 36 C are active in polypeptide synthesis in vivo, whereas the monoribosomes which accumulate are not. Furthermore, ribosomes isolated from a culture of the mutant preincubated for 1 hr at 36 C are inactive in polypeptide synthesis in vitro, but can be restored to full activity by the addition of polyuridylic acid as mRNA. We conclude that mutant ts(-) 136 is defective either in the synthesis of all types of cytoplasmic RNA, or in the transport of newly synthesized RNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, and that the mRNA of a eucaryotic organism (yeast) is metabolically unstable, having a half-life of approximately 23 min at 36 C.     

Synthesis of large subunit of ribulosebisphosphate carboxylase by thylakoid-bound polyribosomes from spinach chloroplasts

Intact chloroplasts were isolated from developing first leaves of spinach. The chloroplasts were broken and separated into an extensively washed membrane (thylakoid) fraction and a soluble (stroma) fraction. The membrane fraction contained polyribosomes with properties similar to those of thylakoid-bound polyribosomes of other organisms. The distribution of mRNA for large-subunit ribulosebisphosphate carboxylase (LS) was determined by translating RNA from chloroplasts, thylakoids, and stroma in a wheat germ cell-free translation system. LS translation product was identified by immunoprecipitation with antibody to LS from spinach, electrophoresis of the immunoprecipitated product, and fluorography. At least 44% of translatable chloroplast LS-mRNA was in the washed thylakoid fraction. Thylakoid-bound LS-mRNA was in polyribosomes since LS was produced by thylakoids in an Escherichia coli cell-free translation system under conditions where initiation did not take place. Our results demonstrate that membrane-bound polyribosomes can synthesize the stroma-localized polypeptide LS, and suggest that the thylakoids may be an important site of its synthesis.     

Functional interaction of free polyribosomes with the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum in a cell-free protein-synthesizing system from plasmacytoma X5563

In cell-free protein synthesis by the murine plasmacytoma X5563, which had become a nonproducing mutant, mixed systems with free polyribosomes and mirosomes incorporated ¹⁴C-amino-acid into protein 3–8 times greater than the sum of the incorporations in the individual system irrespective of S-100 concentrations. This enhancement was inhibited by lecithinase A and was markedly reduced at high KCl concentrations. Smooth endoplasmic membranes had more stimulatory activity than rough endoplasmic membranes. The results indicate that the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum and free polyribosomes interact in the cell-free protein-synthesizing system, resulting in the enhancement of protein synthesis.     

The cytoskeletal framework of sea urchin eggs and embryos: developmental changes in the association of messenger RNA

Extraction of sea urchin eggs and embryos with Triton X-100 generated a cytoskeletal framework (CSK) composed of a cortical filamentous network and an internal system of filaments associated with ribosomes. The CSK contained only 10-20% of the cellular protein, RNA, and lipid. A specific subset of proteins was enriched in the CSK. Several lines of evidence suggest that mRNA is a component of the CSK of both eggs and embryos. First, the CSK contained poly(A) sequences which hybridized with [3H]poly(U). Second, the CSK contained polyribosomes. Finally, RNA extracted from the CSK showed translational activity in an in vitro system. The nonhistone messages present in the CSK were qualitatively similar to those solubilized by detergent, as determined by separation on polyacrylamide gels of the products of in vitro translation. In the unfertilized egg, most mRNA was present as nonpolyribosomal messenger ribonucleoprotein complexes which, along with monoribosomes, were efficiently extracted by Triton X-100. The converse was found in blastulae, as most of the mRNA was present as polyribosomes associated with the CSK, although monoribosomes were still efficiently extracted by detergent. These results indicate a correlation between the activation of protein synthesis in eggs and the association of polyribosomes with the CSK.     

Resonance Raman spectra of heme a derivatives. Evidence for the reaction of peripheral formyl group with HCN and NaHSO3.

A separate and distinct population of polyribosomes exists in the detergent-washed nuclei of adenovirus-infected HeLa cells. These polyribosomes, released by exposure to polynucleotides such as high molecular weight nuclear RNA or poly(U), do not appear to be cytoplasmic contaminants. Nuclear polyribosomes have a considerably lower buoyant density compared to cytoplasmic ones. Nuclear polyribosomes, in a cell-free system of protein synthesis, are six- to eight-fold less active compared to cytoplasmic ones and are insensitive to aurin tricarboxylic acid. They do not complement cytoplasmic polyribosomes in protein synthesis in the cell-free system. Finally, the number of proteins synthesized by nuclear polyribosomes is higher compared with that synthesized by the cytoplasmic ones. Only the virus-specific proteins, including P-VII, are synthesized by cytoplasmic polyribosomes. Nuclear polyribosomes, on the other hand, synthesize virusspecific proteins, including P-VII and VII, and a number of additional proteins not synthesized by the cytoplasmic ones.     

In vitro translation with adenovirus polyribosomes.

Polyribosomes isolated from adenovirus type 2 (Ad2)-infected HeLa cells late in productive infection can be used for translation in cell-free systems. At least eight viral polypeptides are synthesized, including the precursors to virion polypeptides VI and VII. Separation of polyribosomes by zonal rate centrifugation followed by translation in a cell-free system reveals a correlation between the sizes of the polyribosomes and the polypeptides synthesized. The cell-free extracts incorporate amino acid linearly for only 10 min and show little or no capacity to reinitiate protein synthesis. The elongation efficiency measured as the number of amino acids incorporated per ribosome in 20 min is low, ranging from 10 to 100. The maximum chain elongation rate is estimated to be 10 to 20 amino acids per min. The limited elongation has been used to assess the relative concentration of mRNA's engaged in translation.     

Inhibition of host protein synthesis by vaccinia virus: fate of cell mRNA and synthesis of small poly (A)-rich polyribonucleotides in the presence of actinomycin D.

Purified vaccinia virus rapidly inhibited HeLa cell protein synthesis in the presence of actinomycin D. Under these conditions host polyribosomes were extensively degraded but the mRNA was stable as indicated by a greater than 90% recovery of prelabeled polyadenylylated RNA. Although actinomycin D prevented the synthesis of host mRNA and poly(A) in uninfected cells, incorporation of adenosine into poly(A) was inhibited by less than 50% in infected cells. Further analysis indicated that there was little or no normal size viral mRNA but that a unique class of small poly(A)-rich RNA was made in the presence of actinomycin D. From measurements of the RNase resistance and base composition of the RNA, approximately 40% of the nucleotide sequence was estimated to be poly(A). The poly(A)-rich RNA was found associated with small polyribosomes and monoribosomes that were inactive in protein synthesis. It was suggested that the poly(A) segment of the RNA is formed by the poly(A) polymerase previously found in vaccinia virus cores and that the inactive RNA, by competing with host mRNA, may contribute to the virus-mediated inhibition of host protein synthesis observed in the presence of actinomycin D.     

Age dependent changes in fungi: Ribosomes and protein synthesis inRhizoctonia solani mycelium

Summary Increasing age ofRhizoctonia solani cells was accompanied by a decrease in protein synthesis but not by a fall in the number of ribosomes present. There was, however, a shift from predominantly polyribosomes in young cells actively synthesizing protein, to mainly monoribosomes in older less active cells, and it is suggested that protein synthesis is restricted in these older cells by some defect at the initiation step of protein synthesis. The major site of protein synthesis throughout ageing was the free ribosome fraction with little or no contribution from membrane-bound ribosomes. For reasons not understood, the free ribosomes failed to sediment through 2.0 M sucrose, and only by using 1.4 M sucrose were good separations obtained.     

Changes in the sequence content of albumin mRNA and in its translational activity in the rat liver with age

To investigate the regulation of age-related changes in albumin synthesis in the rat liver, total postnuclear RNA and polyribosomes, both membrane-bound and free, were prepared from livers of rats of different ages. By the use of a specific complementary DNA probe, the albumin mRNA sequence content was quantitated in these RNA fractions. These studies showed a specific increase in albumin mRNA sequence content in total postnuclear RNA and membrane-bound polyribosomes at between 12 and 24 months of age. Between 24 and 36 months of age, the increase in the amount of albumin mRNA in these two fractions was due only to an increase in liver weight. The increase in albumin mRNA sequence content was not found in the poly(A)⁺ fraction but in the RNA extracted from the void of oligo(dT)-cellulose column chromatography. The isolated polyribosomes were translated in a cell-free system to assess age-related changes in total protein and albumin synthesis due to translational control. No changes with age were found in the translational capacity of membrane-bound and free polyribosomes per RNA unit. Immunoprecipitation of the synthesized albumin in the translation products revealed that albumin synthesis in the cell-free system is not increased proportionally with the elevated albumin mRNA level between 12 and 24 months of age. This indicates that albumin mRNAs present in the livers of old rats are biologically less active than those found in younger animals.     

Stability and function of mengovirus RNA in cell-free protein synthesis

Cell-free protein synthesis utilizing mengovirus RNA as message occurs on large (200S) polyribosomes similar in size to polyribosomes formed by viral message in intact Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) cells. However, most viral RNA in the cell-free system is not associated with rapidly sedimenting structure, but rather sediments in a 40S peak.As measured by function, viral RNA is remarkably stable to incubation in the cell lysate. Message function is preserved for over 30 min under conditions where synthesis is reversibly blocked by lack of ATP and GTP. However, 40% of added radioactively-labeled viral RNA is rapidly adsorbed onto the incubation vessel. These results indicate that viral RNA as isolated may seem homogenous by sedimentation, yet be functionally heterogenous, as measured by stability and by involvement in protein synthesis.     

Translational regulation of the synthesis of a major heat shock protein in HeLa cells

The synthesis of a major heat shock protein (HSP 70) was measured in HeLa cells incubated at 42.5 degrees C and then transferred to 37 degrees C or 30 degrees C. After 90 min, synthesis of HSP 70 decreased by 54 and 85%, respectively, whereas HSP 70 mRNA was reduced at most by 20%. Therefore, the reduced synthesis of HSP 70 could not be accounted for by mRNA turnover. HSP 70 was associated with large polyribosomes (6-10 ribosomes) in cells kept at 42.5 degrees C, but with medium or small polyribosomes in cells transferred to 37 degrees C or 30 degrees C (5-6 or 2-3 ribosomes, respectively). Addition of puromycin to these cells resulted in the release of all ribosomes from HSP 70 mRNA, indicating that they were translationally active. The regulation of HSP 70 synthesis was investigated in cell-free systems prepared from heat-shocked or control cells and incubated at 30 degrees C and 42 degrees C. After 5 min at 42 degrees C, the cell-free system from heat-shocked cells synthesized protein at 3 times the rate of the control cell-free system. This difference was in large part due to synthesis of HSP 70. Addition of HSP mRNA to the control cell-free system stimulated protein synthesis at 42 degrees C, but not at 30 degrees C. These findings suggest that translation of HSP 70 mRNA is specifically promoted at high temperature and repressed during recovery from heat shock by regulatory mechanisms active at the level of initiation.     

Protein synthesis by a cell-free preparation from the bird malaria, Plasmodium lophurae.

Cytoplasmic polyribosomes were isolated from the avian malaria parasite Plasmodium lophurae by lysis with 0.15% Triton X-100 followed by high speed centrifugation through a discontinuous sucrose gradient. Polyribosomes were protected from nuclease degradation using 100 mug/ml heparin or 50 mug/ml dextran sulfate. Cell-free incorporation of radioisotope-labeled amino acids required a pH 5 fraction (duck reticulocyte), Mg2+, and an energy-generating system. The protein synthesizing system was stimulated by the addition of polyuridylic acid. Optimum conditions for protein synthesis by the plasmodial system are described. The effects of drugs on the cell-free protein synthesizing system using duck reticulocyte and plasmodial ribosomes are reported.