Comparison of immunoglobulin chains made in ascites extract and reticulocyte lysate programmed with mRNA from four mouse myelomas

Abstract

To learn more about the cell-free synthesis of immunoglobulin (Ig) chains, the translation of mRNA from microsomes of four murine plasma cell tumors (myelomas) has been compared in a supplemented Krebs II ascites cell extract and in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate. 1. (i) In the ascites system, translation of Ig light chain mRNAs was enhanced by addition of 18-S rRNA, ascites tRNA and KCl concentrations higher than the optimum for total amino acid incorporation. Reticulocyte initiation factors strongly stimulated translation of exogenous and endogenous mRNAs. The background of endogenous incorporation was not eliminated by preincubation of the extract. 2. (ii) Messenger RNA from each of the mye..