Translation of immunoglobulin mRNAs in a wheat germ cell-free system

Abstract

An unfractionated wheat germ cell-free system will efficiently translate immunoglobulin messenger RNAs from four murine myelomas. The system responds as well to immunoglobulin mRNA as to globin mRNA and translates mRNAs for both heavy and light immunoglobulin chains. The mRNAs for both kappa and lambda chains are translated into polypeptides 1700-2000 daltons larger than the authentic light chains. Chain completion is poor with most mRNAs, but improves when the reactions are done at KCl concentrations considerably higher than the optimum for maximal incorporation of radioactivity. Mammalian transfer RNA stimulates translation of all mRNAs tested. © 1974 D. Reidel Publishing Company.