The influence of rRNA and tRNA on the translation of avian globin mRNA in cell-free systems of protein synthesis.

Cell-free synthesis of globin chains in the presence of globin mRNA in an Ehrlich ascites-cell-free system is further stimulated by addition of 18- and 28-S rRNA but not of 4-S tRNA and 5-S rRNA. This stimulation can not be observed in the wheat germ cell-free system. When 125I-labelled globin mRNA was incubated in the two systems we have found after 60 min a 75% decrease of trichloroacetic acid precipitable polynucleotides in the ascites but only a 20% decrease in the wheat germ system. The RNAase action on mRNA can be reduced by the addition of 18- and 28-S rRNA but not by 5-S rRNA and 4-S tRNA. We suggest that the stimulating effect of the two rRNA species in the ascites cell-free system is due to a higher activity of a specific RNAase in this system and a competitive protection of mRNA from RNAase action.