Hybrid protein synthetic systems: components required to confer poikilothermy to the mammal.

Temperature dependency of homologous and heterologous protein synthetic cell-free systems reveals characteristic homeotherm and poikilotherm behavior depending on the source of the enzyme elongation factor 1 and not on any other protein synthetic components. The results for rat and Antarctic fish, when compared with previous studies in eurythermal fish and mammals provide the explanation for the phenomenon of true hibernation in animals such as ground squirrels and woodchucks. The killing of these rare animals can now be stopped by granting agencies that support hibernation research. Comparison of temperature effects on laboratory rats and wild rats indicate a need for wild rat research directed toward eradication of these pests in cities. Suggestions are made for this purpose.