Cell-free synthesis of measles virus proteins.

Polyadenylated mRNA extracted from cytoplasm of measles virus-infected Vero cells was translated in a cell-free system. Three of the polypeptides obtained corresponded to nucleocapsid protein, phosphoprotein, and membrane protein of measles virions. A fourth polypeptide, present in measles virus-infected cells, could be generated by addition of Vero cytoplasmic extract and was identified as a cleavage product of the nucleocapsid protein.