A new factor involved in amino acid incorporation and nucleic aced synthesis

Abstract

AbstractTable II summarises the present situation concerning the activities of the incorporation factor preparation. If disrupted staphylococcal cells are treated so that the greater part of their nucleic acid is removed, then the incorporation of a single amino acid such as glycine or glutamic acid can be promoted by the IF preparation to the same extent as by nucleic acid. The synthesis of RNA, as measured by the incorporation of adenine into the RNA fraction, requires the presence of a complete mixture of amino acids, the natural purines and pyrimidines, DNA and the IF preparation. The synthesis of protein, as judged by the development of catalase and β‐galactosidase, requires a complete mixture of amino acids, DNA and, in the case of catalase, RNA or in the case of β‐galactosidase, the synthesis of RNA; in neither case does IF have any effect over and above that involved in the nucleic acid or its synthesis. This may mean that the factor is concerned in the synthesis of ribonucleic acid and the role of amino acids in that synthesis rather than in the formation of protein per se.