Simian virus 40-specific ribosome-binding proteins induced by a nondefective adenovirus 2-simian virus 40 hybrid.

We have studied the intracellular distribution of the two simian virus 40-specific proteins, with apparent molecular weights of 56,000 and 42,000, detectable in human KB cells infected by a nondefective adenovirus 2-simian virus 40 hybrid, Ad2+ND2. After a 20-min pulse of [35S]methionine, about two-thirds of the newly synthesized 56K protein and one-third of the 42K protein were found localized on the plasma membrane. The remainder of each protein was found in the cytoplasm, whereas the nuclear fraction was virtually free of either component. A significant portion of both proteins present in the cytoplasmic fraction was complexed to the 40S ribosomal subunits and was not removed by treatment with 0.5 M KCl. Moreover, the portion that was found free in the cytoplasm could bind preferentially and quantitatively to purified 40S ribosomes in vitro, leading us to propose that these simian virus 40 proteins may act as translational control elements in cells.