Selection of 5'-untranslated sequences that enhance initiation of translation in a cell-free protein synthesis system from wheat embryos.

Random libraries of mRNA 5'-leader sequences were screened to obtain some sequences that can stimulate the translation initiation in a cell-free translation system from wheat embryos as efficiently as the Omega sequence from tobacco mosaic virus. Several sequences that are as useful as the Omega sequence and are homologous to no known sequences survived the screening. We expect that these sequences add useful options to the cell-free protein synthesis system that is becoming a powerful tool in the post-genomic researches.