PROTEIN SYNTHESIS BY CELL-FREE EXTRACTS FROM BACILLUS LICHENIFORMIS

A cell-free protein-synthesising system from Bacillus licheniformis 749C was developed and characterised, and an attempt was made to investigate the nature of the products synthesised in vitro. Protein synthesis is directed by endogenous messenger on ribosomal aggregates ranging from 80 S to at least 120 S. Polypeptides of a wide range of sizes become labelled, including some of very high molecular weight, and some which on gel filtration move on the same position as penicillinase. Carboxypeptidase and leucine aminopeptidase digestion experiments suggest that a large proportion of the activity is accounted for by addition of amino acids to nascent polypeptide chains. © 1969.