Studies on the Translation of the Genetic Message. II. Translation of Oligonucleotide Messengers of Specified Base Sequence

摘要

Studies on the translation of the genetic message, using synthetic polyribonucleotides as messengers in the conventional cell-free system of Escherichia coli for protein synthesis, have been seriously hindered by (a) the presence of nucleases and peptidases that degraded messengers and polypeptides, respectively, and (b) the difficulty of performing end-group assays on the insoluble products formed. These obstacles have been removed through (a) the use of a system low in nuclease activity consisting of chromatographically purified E. coli ribosomes and a supernatant fraction derived from Lactobacillus arabinosus, and (b) the preparation and unequivocal characterization of adenylic acid-rich oligonucleotides of specified base sequence. These synthetic messengers direct the synthesis of lysine-containing peptides which are soluble in water and can be readily characterized.