Cell-free systems for in vitro translation of herpes simplex virus messenger RNA.

A cell-free system active in translation of HSV mRNA was obtained by fractionation of reticulocyte lysates. Endogenous protein synthesis was further reduced by preincubation with micrococcal nuclease, although this treatment did not affect the translation of infected (or uninfected) BHK cell RNA. Polypeptides synthesized by the fractionated reticulocyte cell-free system were very similar to those produced by unfractionated reticulocyte lysates.