The stimulation of Escherichia coli stringent factor-dependent synthesis of guanosine 3',5'-polyphosphate [(p)ppGpp] by rat liver ribosomal proteins.

The effect of groups of proteins from rat liver ribosomes on the Escherichia coli stringent factor-catalyzed synthesis of (p)ppGpp was tested. Most groups were capable of supporting (p)ppGpp synthesis; the exceptions were A40, B140, B240 and B160 which contain proteins which are relatively less basic than those in the active groups. The capacity of 30 individual rat liver ribosomal proteins to activate stringent factor was assessed; most sustained the synthesis of (p)ppGpp. Proteins S12, S21, L12, P1, and P2 (which are acidic or relatively acid) had no activity; proteins S6, S8, and L3 were the most active: the others had moderate activity.