Selective inhibition of protein synthetic activity of cerebral membrane-bound ribosomes as a consequence of ethanol ingestion.

Ethanol ingestion by weanling rats results in an inhibition of protein synthetic activity of cerebral membrane-bound ribosomes. Among various amino acids tested, the incorporation of serine was inhibited to a maximum degree. In contrast to membrane-bound ribosomes, the activity of free ribosomes was enhanced as a consequence of ethanol treatment. Aminoacylation of tRNA in pH 5 fraction was also reduced in the brain cortices of ethanol-fed animals.