[Biosynthesis of colicin A : existence of pauses in the translation of messenger RNA].

Evidence has been obtained for the existence of nascent polypeptide chains, that transiently accumulate as discrete size classes, due to discontinuities in the translation process of the colicin A mRNA. Existence of these discontinuities is independent of the hot cell of colicinogenic factor, and from the induction of synthesis by mitomycin C. The information that leads to the existence of discontinuities in the mRNA translation is contained in the plasmid Col A and, very likely, in the Col A gene itself.