Membrane-bound ribosomes of myeloma cells. III. The role of the messenger RNA and the nascent polypeptide chain in the binding of ribosomes to membranes

Mild ribonuclease treatment of the membrane fraction of P3K cells released three types of membrane-bound ribosomal particles: (a) all the newly made native 40S subunits detected after 2 h of [3H]uridine pulse. Since after a 3-min pulse with [35S]methionine these membrane native subunits appear to contain at least sevenfold more Met-tRNA per particle than the free native subunits, they may all be initiation complexes with mRNA molecules which have just become associated with the membranes; (b) about 50% of the ribosomes present in polyribosomes. Evidence is presented that the released ribosomes carry nascent chains about two and a half to three times shorter than those present on the ribosomes remaining bound to the membranes. It is proposed that in the membrane-bound polyribosomes of P3K cells, only the ribosomes closer to the 3' end of the mRNA molecules are directly bound, while the latest ribosomes to enter the polyribosomal structures are indirectly bound through the mRNA molecules; (c) a small number of 40S subunits of polyribosomal origin, presumably initiation complexes attached at the 5' end of mRNA molecules of polyribosomes. When the P3K cells were incubated with inhibitors acting at different steps of protein synthesis, it was found that puromycin and pactamycin decreased by about 40% the proportion of ribosomes in the membrane fraction, while cycloheximide and anisomycin had no such effect. The ribosomes remaining on the membrane fraction of puromycin-treated cells consisted of a few polyribosomes, and of an accumulation of 80S and 60S particles, which were almost entirely released by high salt treatment of the membranes. The membrane-bound ribosomes found after pactamycin treatment consisted of a few polyribosomes, with a striking accumulation of native 60S subunits and an increased number of native 40S subunits. On the basis of the observations made in this and the preceding papers, a model for the binding of ribosomes to membranes and for the ribosomal cycle on the membranes is proposed. It is suggested that ribosomal subunits exchange between free and membrane-bound polyribosomes through the cytoplasmic pool of free native subunits, and that their entry into membrane-bound ribosomes is mediated by mRNA molecules associated with membranes.     

ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF LOW DENSITY STRUCTURES FROM OROTIC ACID-INDUCED FATTY LIVERS

Centrifugation of a sucrose homogenate of the livers of female albino rats fed a 1.5% orotic acid diet for 3 wk yielded a pellicle containing low density structures. In morphology and biochemical properties these structures resembled those portions of endoplasmic reticulum which accumulated lipid. Electron microscopy indicated large droplets of lipid bounded by a membrane with attached ribosome-like particles. The presence of ribosomes in these structures was established by treatment with deoxycholate and centrifugation. The proportion of 18S and 29S RNA was the same as that found in the ribosomes from normal liver; however, the distribution of radioactivity between the 18S and the 29S RNA after injection of 8-¹⁴C-adenine was distinctly different. The RNA isolated from these structures contained a higher guanylic acid to cytidylic acid ratio than that found in the microsomes of the normal liver. It is proposed that these low density structures may be those portions of the endoplasmic reticulum in which there exists a defect responsible for the block in the assembly or secretion of plasma lipoprotein.     

Membrane-bound ribosomes of myeloma cells. II. Kinetic studies on the entry of newly made ribosomal subunits into the free and the membrane- bound ribosomal particles

The kinetics of appearance of newly made 60S and 40S ribosomal subunits in the free and membrane-bound ribosomal particles of P3K cells were explored by determining the specific radioactivities of their 18S and 28S RNA after various lengths of [3H]uridine pulse. Both 40S and 60S subunits enter free and membrane-bound polyribosomes at comparable rates from the cytoplasmic pool of newly made, free native subunits, the 40S subunits entering the native subunit pool and the polyribosomes slightly earlier than the 60S subunits. At all times, the specific radioactivity of the membrane-bound native 60S subunits was slightly lower than that of the polyribosomal 60S subunits. This indicates that the membrane-bound native 60S subunits are not precursors destined to enter membrane-bound polyribosomes and suggests that they result from the dissociation of ribosomes after chain termination. The results observed also suggest that the membrane-bound native 60S subunits are not reutilized before their release from the membranes, which probably takes place shortly after dissociation from their 40S subunits. The monoribosomes, both free and membrane-bound, had the lowest specific radioactivities in their subunits. Finally, a small amount of newly made native 40S subunits, containing 18S RNA of high specific radioactivity, and apparently also newly made messenger RNA were detected on the membranes. The high turnover of these membrane-bound native 40S subunits suggests that they may represent initiation complexes formed with mRNA which has just reached the membranes and which has not yet given rise to polyribosomes.     

The dissociation of Yoshida hepatoma ribosomes into active particles

1. The sedimentation pattern of Yoshida hepatoma ribosomes shows mainly a high dimer peak and an intermediate peak between those of monomer and dimer. 2. The treatment of the postmitochondrial supernatant with EDTA or potassium chloride leads to the dissociation of ribosomes into subunits, through a decrease ofthe ribosomal Mg²⁺/phosphorus ratio. Provided that the deprivation of endogenous Mg²⁺ is not complete, the subunits reassociate into active polyribosomes after addition of magnesium chloride to the medium. If the Mg²⁺/phosphorus ratio is lowered below 0.01 (μmol/μmol), structural changes occur, that become evident by a loss of protein and by a decreased sedimentation rate, which render the subribosomal particles unable to reassociate. 3. In the re-formation of polyribosomes from subunits, during the progressive increase of the concentration of magnesium chloride in the medium, the formation of monomeric ribosomes seems to be intermediate. 4. A dimerization of monomers and subunits occurs at concentrations of magnesium chloride greater than those required for the re-formation of polyribosomes and a preincubation for 1h at 0°C is necessary for the maximum dimerization, whereas the complete reconstitution of polyribosomes is immediate.     

Changes in the population of polyribosomal containing red cells of peripheral blood of rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, following starvation and bleeding

Peripheral blood of trout contained two populations of red cells: those with polyribosomes located in the cytoplasm, and those without polyribosomes. Starvation of trout for 30 days was accompanied by a proportional decline of the polyribosomal-containing (PRC) red cells. One week after a 15% bleeding of both fed and starved animals fed individuals showed a proportional decline of PRC red cells whilst starved fish showed a proportional increase of the same cell population. In fed individuals the bleeding response was accompanied by the appearance of many red cells with senescence-related characteristics. PRC cells in both groups of animals were arbitrarily subdivided into three subgroups according to the density of polyribosomes present. No statistically demonstrable differences were evident between the means of the three PRC cell groups of control animals and those subjected to starvation and bleeding. However, there was an apparent rise in the proportion of red cells with the highest density of polyribosomes as a result of both treatments.     

Effect of a modified separation procedure on the size and protein-synthetic activity of membrane-bound liver polyribosomes

1. Various subcellular fractions containing ribosomes were isolated from rat liver. 2. In the presence of [(14)C]leucine and Sephadex-treated cell sap the radioactivity incorporated into the synthesized protein resulting from the incubation of microsomal preparations or deoxycholate-treated polyribosomes was dependent on the amount of rRNA incubated. In contrast, when Sephadex-treated post-mitochondrial supernatant was incubated, the radioactivity incorporated into the synthesized protein was independent of the amount of rRNA incubated. 3. Microsomal preparations and membrane-bound ribosomes, prepared by the standard procedure, incorporated less [(14)C]leucine into protein, per mg of rRNA incubated, than free or deoxycholate-treated polyribosomes; accordingly, polyribosomes associated with the former fractions were found mainly as monomers. 4. If microsomal fractions or membrane-bound ribosomes were prepared by a simple modification of the standard procedure, i.e. by centrifugation on to a ;cushion' of 2m-sucrose, their protein-synthesizing activity was of the same order as that of the original post-mitochondrial supernatant, and membrane-free and deoxycholate-treated polyribosomes; in this case polyribosome profiles showed that very little degradation had occurred and compared well with those obtained for post-mitochondrial supernatant and isolated polyribosomes. 5. A method is described (Appendix) that provides a rapid and reliable assessment of the concentration of rRNA in subcellular fractions.     

Effects of ethionine treatment on protein-synthesizing apparatus of rat liver 80 S ribosomes and 40 S ribosomal subunits

The inhibitory effects of ethionine treatment of female rats for 4 h on the protein-synthesizing machineries of 80 S ribosomes and 40 S ribosomal subunits of the liver were investigated. The following results were obtained. (1) The translation of globin mRNA by 80 S ribosomes or 40 S ribosomal subunits, in combination with mouse 60 S subunits, was markedly inhibited by ethionine treatment in a complete cell-free system containing partially purified initiation factors of rabbit reticulocytes and the rat liver pH 5 fraction. (2) The polysome formation of 80 S ribosomes in the complete system described above was inhibited by ethionine treatment. Similar inhibitions by ethionine treatment were observed in the case of incubation of 40 S subunits with reticulocyte lysate, although the polysome formation was rather low even in the case of control 40 S subunits. (3) The pattern of CsCl isopycnic centrifugation of rat liver native 40 S subunits uniformly labeled with [¹⁴C]- or [³H]orotic acid showed that the content of non-ribosomal proteins of native 40 S subunits was decreased by ethionine treatment. The analysis of proteins of native 40 S subunits by SDS-polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis revealed that eIF-3 subunits and two unidentified protein fractions of molecular weight of 2.3·10⁴ and 2.1·10⁴ were decreased in ethionine-treated rat liver. (4) 40 S subunits from ethionine-treated or control rat livers were labeled with $\text{N-[}{}^3\text{H]ethylmaleimide}$ or $\text{N-[}{}^{14}\text{C]ethylmaleimide}$, and the ³H to ¹⁴C ratios of individual 40 S proteins on two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were measured. The results suggested that the conformation of rat liver 40 S subunits was changed by ethionine treatment. (5) These results may indicate that ethionine treatment decreases the activity of rat liver 40 S subunits for the interaction with initiation factors, especially eIF-3, as the results of conformational changes of 40 S subunits.     

Association of D-RNA with Polyribosomes in the Soybean Root

Ribosomes from soybean root tips were shown to consist of about 75% polyribosomes based on size distribution on sucrose gradients. Electronmicrographs showed the presence of ribosome clusters in normal preparations and only monomers and dimers in ribonuclease-treated preparations. The polyribosome preparations, but not single ribosomes, showed good in vitro amino acid incorporating activity.     

The protein-synthesizing activity of ribosomes isolated from the mammary gland of lactating and pregnant guinea pigs

1. Polyribosome preparations were made from the deoxycholate-treated post-nuclear fractions obtained by the disruption of mammary glands from lactating and pregnant guinea pigs. 2. A high proportion of large polyribosomes was obtained from the glands of lactating animals whereas mainly small polyribosomes were obtained from the glands of pregnant animals. The isolated preparations incorporated [(14)C]phenylalanine into protein. The polyribosomes from the glands of pregnant animals were less active than those from the glands of lactating animals but the activity of the former was stimulated more by poly(U) than was the latter. 3. The ribosomes from mammary gland could be dissociated into subunits after incubation, under conditions necessary for protein synthesis, in the presence of puromycin. The subunits could be recombined to give a preparation that actively polymerized [(14)C]phenylalanine in the presence of poly(U). The subunits from guinea-pig mammary gland could be combined with subunits from liver of either guinea pig or rat. Hybrid ribosomes were also formed from subunits derived from glands of pregnant and lactating animals. The hybrids were as active as were the ribosomes formed by reassociation of subunits from the same tissue, suggesting that in this respect the ribosomes from pregnant animals were not defective. 4. Polyribosomes from mammary glands of lactating animals when incubated with cell sap from the same source were tested for their ability to synthesize alpha-lactalbumin. The polyribosomes were incubated in the presence of [(3)H]leucine and alpha-lactalbumin was isolated from the supernatant. The protein was finally treated with cyanogen bromide and the C-terminal and N-terminal fragments were separated and their radioactivity was determined. Both fragments were radioactive consistent with the synthesis of alpha-lactalbumin. 5. The results are discussed in relation to protein synthesis in the mammary gland after parturition.     

Regulation of polyribosome formation and protein synthesis in the uterus. Effect of ovariectomy and administration of oestradiol-17beta on the amino acid-incorporation activity in vitro and the cytoplasmic concentration in vivo of polyribosomal preparation

1. Three procedures for isolating ribonucleoprotein particles from the cytoplasmic fraction of rat-uterus homogenates are described. By procedure 1, ribonucleoprotein particles were isolated in the presence of 5mm-Mg²⁺ and 25mm-K⁺, and the postmitochondrial supernatant fraction was made to 1·3% (w/v) in potassium deoxycholate. About 50% of the RNA and protein of the microsomal fraction was recovered in the monomeric ribosomes isolated. By procedure 2, ribonucleoprotein particles were isolated in the presence of 10mm-Mg²⁺ and 0·1m-K⁺, and in the absence of detergent. The ribosomes obtained were primarily polymeric, but recovery of microsomal RNA and protein was only 32%. By procedure 3, ribonucleoprotein particles were isolated according to procedure 1 but without the use of detergent. A mixture of polymeric and monomeric ribosomes was obtained, and the recovery of microsomal RNA and protein was about 60%. 2. Uterine polymeric and monomeric ribosomes, isolated by procedure 3 and designated `polyribosomal preparation', were examined for protein-synthesizing capabilities. The principal properties of the cell-free protein-synthesizing system containing the polyribosomal preparation are described. The efficiency of amino acid incorporation in the complete system incubated for 30min. and containing the polyribosomal preparation was found to be either 2·5 molecules of [¹⁴C]leucine or 2·2 molecules of [¹⁴C]-valine incorporated/ribosome. Assay of the preparation in the complete cell-free system containing 10mm-sodium fluoride indicated that 40% of the incorporation activity is a result of initiation of new polypeptide chains and 60% is due to completion of previously existing chains. Monomeric ribosomes obtained by various treatments of the polyribosomal preparation with sodium fluoride, ribonuclease and potassium deoxycholate had decreased incorporation activity in the cell-free system. However, monomeric ribosomes obtained by treatment with sodium fluoride only had an incorporation activity 50% greater than that of monomers obtained by treatment with ribonuclease only. 3. The results indicate that uterine polymeric and monomeric ribosomes are sites of amino acid incorporation in vivo and in vitro. It is concluded that most polymeric and monomeric ribosomes occurring in the cytoplasmic fraction of the uterus are free and unattached to membranes, and that the polyribosomes are relatively unstable.     

Cytoplasmic effects of cortisol in liver

1. The time-course of the induction by cortisol of tryptophan pyrrolase in mouse liver was established. 2. The kinetics of labelling of mouse liver polyribosomes and the distribution of radioactivity in the various sizes of polyribosomes were investigated. It is concluded that the major part of the messenger RNA is monocistronic. 3. Cortisol administered to adrenalectomized mice stimulates in parallel the ability of ribosomes and polyribosomes, both free and bound, to incorporate amino acids into protein. 4. This stimulation does not appear to affect in a selective manner particular regions of the gradients of polyribosomes. 5. Administration of cortisol enhances the ability of the denser fraction of the rough microsomes to incorporate labelled amino acids. Adrenalectomy has minor effects on the pool sizes and specific radioactivities of liver amino acids which are counteracted by the hormone. However, these appear insufficient to influence the changes observed. 6. Adrenalectomy causes an increase in the percentage of ribosomes existing as polyribosomes and a fall in the proportion bound to the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum. After treatment of these animals with cortisol there is a marked increase in the proportion of bound ribosomes. 7. The influence of cortisol on the membranous components of liver cytoplasm is discussed.     

Comparison of the protein-synthesizing machinery in the skeletal muscle of normal and dystrophic Bar Harbor mice

1. Although the total weight of leg muscle increased with the age of a normal mouse the DNA and RNA content per leg did not change significantly. 2. The weight of leg muscle from a dystrophic mouse was only about 45% of that from a normal mouse but the DNA and RNA contents were the same and hence similar DNA/RNA ratios were obtained. 3. The total ribosome contents of normal and dystrophic mice were the same on a whole-leg basis, and for both the free ribosomes were about 60% of the total. However, comparison with similar data from liver suggested that some loss of ribosomes occurred during the isolation procedure. 4. The polyribosome patterns obtained by density-gradient centrifugation were the same for normal and dystrophic muscle, and comparable polyribosome fractions of different sizes obtained from such gradients had similar capacities for the incorporation of radioactive amino acids in a standard protein-synthesizing system. 5. By using a standard protein-synthesizing system with normal polyribosomes similar extents of incorporation were found with normal- or dystrophic-muscle pH5 fraction or partially purified transfer RNA preparation. 6. It is concluded that there is no absolute difference between the protein-synthesizing systems of normal and dystrophic mouse muscle and that the observed apparent differences result from concentration differences caused by changes in muscle volume. 7. A possible cause of the failure of dystrophic muscle to resynthesize myofibrils is also suggested.     

Synthesis of thyroglobulin in the polyribosome cell-free system of the thyroid gland]

Protein synthesis (in particular, thyroglobulin) is studied in a cell-free system containing polyribosomes of thyroid gland. After the incubation with radioactive label, ribosomes were centrifugated, supernatant was dialyzed against 0.05 M Tris-HCl buffer, pH 7.2 for a night, concentrated by ficol and centrifugated in 5-20% linear sucrose gradient. 14C-radioactivity of 19S fraction (thyroglobulin) was shown to comprise about 25% of total radioactivity. The rest radioactivity was found in 3--8S fractions. The distribution of the radioactivity as it was shown by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis is as follows: 27S--11.0%; 19S--14.2%; 12S--5.8% and 4S--7.6% of total radioactivity in polyacrylamide gel. It is supposed that two successive processes take place in thyroid gland: a synthesis of thyroglobulin subunits and an exchange of new synthesized subunits with presynthesized ones.     

Ribosome function in livers of porphyric mice.

1. A porphyrinogenic drug, 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine, caused a decrease in the proportion of single ("run off") ribosomes, and an increase in the number of polyribosomes, in the livers of treated animals. 2. No change could be detected in the distribution of amino acid incorporation among hepatic polyribosomes.     

The sedimentation of rat skeletal-muscle ribosomes. Effect of hydrocortisone, insulin and diet

1. The influence of hydrocortisone, insulin and diet on the size distribution of ribosomes in a post-mitochondrial supernatant prepared from rat skeletal muscle was studied by sedimentation analysis with a linear 15-40% (w/v) sucrose gradient. 2. Within 4hr. after the injection of 5mg. of hydrocortisone to well-nourished rats, a decrease in the yield per g. of muscle and proportion of total RNA due to polyribosomes was observed. Similar results were obtained in rats given a protein-free diet for 3 days before administration of the hormone. 3. Insulin injection increased the yield and proportion of polyribosomes within 2hr. and decreased the proportion of the lighter ribosomal aggregates. Similar results were noted in rats given a protein-free diet for 3 days before injection. A protein-free diet given for 3 days decreased the yield and proportion of polyribosomes. Insulin did not increase the yield of polyribosomes if rats were starved for 52hr. before injection, but decreased the yield and proportion of the lighter ribosome species. 4. A 52hr. period of starvation or 2,4-dinitrophenol (15mg./kg. body wt.) given 1hr. before the rats were killed resulted in a decreased yield and proportion of polyribosomes, and, within 6hr. of re-feeding the rats with protein-free diets, an increased concentration of polyribosomes was noted. 5. The effects of a protein-free diet, hydrocortisone and insulin on the sedimentation of muscle ribosomes were found to be in accord with their net effects on muscle protein synthesis.     

Free and membrane-bound chloroplast polyribosomes Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

Over half of the chloroplast ribosomes isolated from growing cultures of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii are bound to chloroplast thylakoid membranes if completion of nascent polypeptide chains is prevented by chloramphenicol. The free chloroplast ribosomes are recovered in homogenate supernatants, and presumably originate from the chloroplast stroma. Only about 10% of these free chloroplast ribosomes are polyribosomes, even under conditions when 70% of free cytoplasm ribosomes are recovered as polyribosomes. The nonionic detergent Nonidet P-40 liberates atypical polyribosomes (Type I), from membranes, which require both ribonuclease and proteases for complete conversion to monomeric ribosomes. Thus Type I particles are held together by mRNA but are also held together by peptide bonds. These Type I polyribosomes probably are not bound to intact membrane, but might be bound to some protein-containing sub-membrane particle. The Type I polyribosomes are dissociated to ribosomal subunits by puromycin and high salt, and contained 0.2 to 1 nascent chain per ribosome. If membranes are treated with Nonidet and proteases at the same time, polyribosomes which are digested to monomeric ribosomes by ribonuclease alone (Type II) are obtained. Type II polyribosomes are smaller than Type I, and probably represent the true size distribution of polyribosomes on the membranes. At least 50% of the membrane-bound ribosomes are polyribosomes, since that much membrane bound chloroplast RNA is recovered as Type I or Type II polyribosomes.     

Stored and polysomal ribosomes of mouse ova

RNP particles of ovulated mouse ova, labeled by exposure of growing oocytes to [³H]uridine, were displayed on sucrose gradients. Under standard salt conditions, radioactivity was observed coinciding with liver ribosomal subunits, monomers, and polysomes. The RNA from each region of the gradient was isolated and was found to contain the expected species of labeled 18S and/or 28S ribosomal RNA. Heterogeneous RNP particles were widely distributed in the gradient. From data on RNase sensitivity and resistance to dissociation in high salt, it was estimated that 20–25% of the total ribosomes were in polysomes. No difference in the distribution was observed when ribosomes were labeled in the early or late growth phase of the oocyte. The evidence suggested that the nonpolysomal subunits and monomers were unable to form a high salt-stable complex in the presence of poly(U) and factors for protein synthesis. Thus, the bulk of the ribosomes are inactive in protein synthesis in ovulated ova and are apparently stored for use in embryonic development.     

Diversity and nature of ribosomal pools in hepatoma 7800 and host liver

1. The ribosomal components in the postmitochondrial supernatant of a rat hepatoma (hepatoma 7800) and the corresponding host liver were examined for diversity and functional competence. 2. The ;free' and ;membrane-bound' polyribosomes of both tissues were equally active in vivo and had equilibrated with newly synthesized ribosomes 4hr. after administration of [6-(14)C]orotic acid. 3. The inactive monomer-dimer pool in hepatoma 7800 was unattached to membranes and a larger fraction of the polyribosomes was free in hepatoma than in liver. 4. By using sensitivity to puromycin as a criterion, evidence was obtained that most of the polyribosomes in hepatoma 7800 were active in vivo. 5. Actinomycin, azaguanine and carbon tetrachloride caused marked conversion of polyribosomes into inactive monomers and dimers in the host liver and moderate conversion in the hepatoma. 6. Significant accumulation of ferritin and shifts in the mean polyribosome size to the lighter species occurred in the host liver of rats bearing large hepatomas.     

Regulation of polyribosome formation and protein synthesis in the uterus. Isolation of cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein particles and the principal properties of the cell-free protein-synthesizing system

1. Three procedures for isolating ribonucleoprotein particles from the cytoplasmic fraction of rat-uterus homogenates are described. By procedure 1, ribonucleoprotein particles were isolated in the presence of 5mm-Mg(2+) and 25mm-K(+), and the postmitochondrial supernatant fraction was made to 1.3% (w/v) in potassium deoxycholate. About 50% of the RNA and protein of the microsomal fraction was recovered in the monomeric ribosomes isolated. By procedure 2, ribonucleoprotein particles were isolated in the presence of 10mm-Mg(2+) and 0.1m-K(+), and in the absence of detergent. The ribosomes obtained were primarily polymeric, but recovery of microsomal RNA and protein was only 32%. By procedure 3, ribonucleoprotein particles were isolated according to procedure 1 but without the use of detergent. A mixture of polymeric and monomeric ribosomes was obtained, and the recovery of microsomal RNA and protein was about 60%. 2. Uterine polymeric and monomeric ribosomes, isolated by procedure 3 and designated ;polyribosomal preparation', were examined for protein-synthesizing capabilities. The principal properties of the cell-free protein-synthesizing system containing the polyribosomal preparation are described. The efficiency of amino acid incorporation in the complete system incubated for 30min. and containing the polyribosomal preparation was found to be either 2.5 molecules of [(14)C]leucine or 2.2 molecules of [(14)C]-valine incorporated/ribosome. Assay of the preparation in the complete cell-free system containing 10mm-sodium fluoride indicated that 40% of the incorporation activity is a result of initiation of new polypeptide chains and 60% is due to completion of previously existing chains. Monomeric ribosomes obtained by various treatments of the polyribosomal preparation with sodium fluoride, ribonuclease and potassium deoxycholate had decreased incorporation activity in the cell-free system. However, monomeric ribosomes obtained by treatment with sodium fluoride only had an incorporation activity 50% greater than that of monomers obtained by treatment with ribonuclease only. 3. The results indicate that uterine polymeric and monomeric ribosomes are sites of amino acid incorporation in vivo and in vitro. It is concluded that most polymeric and monomeric ribosomes occurring in the cytoplasmic fraction of the uterus are free and unattached to membranes, and that the polyribosomes are relatively unstable.     

The cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein particles of rat sarcoma cells

Summary The metabolism of the cytoplasmic ribosomal RNP-particles from rat sarcoma cells have been studied after intraperitoneal injection in animals of¹⁴C-leucine alone or together with H₃P³²O₄. By investigating the change of the specific activity of the ribosomes with respect to the time after injection of¹⁴C-leucine we have demonstrated that the half-life of ribosomes is 35 hours.To study the metabolic activity of ribosomes not taking part in protein synthesis, the sucrose gradient centrifugation method was used for their separation from polyribosomes. Four, seven, twelve hours after injection of the isotopes free ribosomal subunits and monoribosomes were isolated and their radioactivity was determined. As expected the label was found in the ribosomal subunits at the beginning and later on in the monoribosomal fraction. At the same time it was observed that the incorporation of H₃P³²O₄ into ribosomal subunits occurred at a much greater rate as compared with the incorporation of¹⁴C-leucine. These results indicate the existence of a pool of ribosomal proteins in sarcoma cells whose role deserves attention.an invited article