Biopolymers and cell. 1987. Volume 3. № 3. 160 - 163

K. A. Soldatkin, A. P. Potapov, A. V. Elskaya

FACTOR-FREE POLY (dT)-DEPENDENT SYNTHESIS OF OLIGOPHENYLALANINE ON ESCHER1CHIA COLI 70S RIBOSOMES

Summary

    The activity of poly(U) and poly(dT) in the factor-free binding of Phe-tRNAPhe to the E. coli 70S ribosomes has been compared to study the role of the codon sugar-phosphate backbone in the mRNA decoding process. Poly(dT) is shown to be effectively translated in such a factor-free system at both low (2 °C) and high (37 °C) temperatures. Under the same conditions poly(U) is not translated. Neomycin inhibits factor-free poly(dT) translation and has no effect on the binding of Phe-tRNAphe to poly(U) programmed ribosomes. The data obtained indicate the great importance of the template and its sugar-phosphate backbone in the translocation process.