Synthesis of cytochrome c oxidase polypeptides in an Escherichia coli cell-free system directed by Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondrial DNA.

Using purified yeast mitochondrial DNA as a template for E. coli RNA polymerase (holoenzyme) complementary mitochondrial RNA has been synthesized in vitro. This RNA has been used to direct a low background E. coli S-30 protein-synthesizing system. The synthesis of mitochondrial polypeptides has been detected by using antiserum raised against purified cytochrome c oxidase holoenzyme and shown to be specific for this antigen. The antiserum-antigen complex was dissociated and subject to SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the presence of 3 polypeptides of 39, 31, and 26 X 10(3) daltons molecular weight demonstrated, which correspond to the subunits synthesized by mitochondria in whole cells which are inhibited with cycloheximide.