Initiation factor eIF2 associated with non-polysomal poly(A)-containing messenger ribonucleoproteins of cryptobiotic gastrulae of Artemia salina.

Non-polysomal poly(A)-containing mRNP of A. salina cryptobiotic embryos is separated in mRNP active in protein synthesis and in repressed mRNP by sucrose gradient centrifugation. In the translationally active fraction the presence of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2) is demonstrated by electroblotting of sodium dodecylsulphate/polyacrylamide gels on nitrocellulose and anti-eIF2 antibody detection. mRNP proteins with Mr of 40 000 and 42 000 are identified as the alpha and beta subunits of eIF2. The repressed mRNP is devoid of eIF2 and is associated with an inhibitor ribonucleoprotein composed of a small 85 +/- 2-nucleotide-long RNA and a protein with Mr of 64 000. The latter ribonucleoprotein is a potent inhibitor of the translationally active mRNP.