Levels of ribosomal protein S1 and elongation factor G in the growth cycle of Escherichia coli.

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The relative levels of ribosomes, ribosomal protein S1, and elongation factor G in the growth cycle of Escherichia coli were examined with two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Nonequilibrium pH gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used in the first dimension, and polyacrylamide gradient-sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis was used in the second dimension. The identities of protein spots containing S1 and elongation factor G were confirmed by radioiodination of the proteins and peptide mapping of the radiolabeled peptides. The levels of ribosomes and ribosomal protein S1 were coordinately reduced during transition from exponential phase to stationary phase. There was no accumulation of S1 in the stationary phase. In marked contrast, the level of elongation factor G showed no significant change from exponential phase to stationary phase. The relative level of elongation factor G compared with ribosomes or S1 increased by about 2.5-fold during transition from exponential phase to stationary phase. The results show that there are differences between the regulation of the levels of elongation factor G and of ribosomal proteins, including S1, apparent during the transition from exponential to stationary phase.