The relation of RNA and protein synthesis to the sedimentation of muscle ribosomes: effect of diabetes and insulin.

Abstract

Ribosomes from muscle of alloxan-diabetic rats fuiietion less efficiently in the synthesis of protein than ribosomes from niormal aniimals.1-4 The nature of the change in function is unknowni. The decrease in protein synthesis is not due to a deficiency in the amount of messenger RNA, but rather the result of a defect in its utilization or translation by ribosomes. 1 2 An important unresolved problem is the nature of the putative chanige in the ribosomes that leads to an alteration in the translation of messenger RNA. It is our hope that a study of the chemical and physical properties of the ribonucleoprotein particles from muscle of diabetic animals will provide a solution to the problem. We have begun the study with an examination of the sedimentationi of muscle ribosomes and of the relation of RNA and. protein synthesis to the influence of diabetes and insulin on those properties.