Control of protein synthesis in mammalian cells by aminoacylation of transfer ribonucleic acid.

The dependence of protein synthesis on the intracellular content of aminoacylated tRNA has been studied in mouse ascites tumor cells deprived for various amino acids. A remarkable reduction in net protein synthesis has been found only after a drastic decrease in aminoacylation of tRNA. The quantitative correlation of protein synthesis with the degree of aminoacylation suggests that a moderate amino acid starvation primarily influences the rate of elongation at the codon concerned. These results are in contrast to the findings previously reported for HeLa cells. Some crucial steps during the determination of intracellular aminoacyl-tRNA have been investigated. The reliability of the method employed has been discussed on a theoretical basis.