Conservation of active ribosomes in acetone-treated cells of Tetrahymena pyriformis.

The preparation of an acetone powder of cells of Tetrahymena pyriformis GL is described. A comparison of ribosomal particles isolated from acetone-treated and untreated cells shows that structurally and functionally intact ribosomes can be isolated from acetone-treated cells. Fully active ribosomes have been isolated from acetone powder of Tetrahymena that had been stored for more than 6 months at 4 degrees C. Thus, this procedure allows easy storage of large quantities of cells for the bulk preparation of active ribosomes.