Messenger RNA binding of a ribosome-associated protein kinase and a ribosomal phosphoprotein(s) in mouse plasmacytoma.

A specific ribosome-associated protein kinase (protein kinase II) and phosphoprotein(s) from the ribosomal KCl wash fraction termed "PPx" have been isolated from plasmacytoma, and tested for their ability to bind to poly(A) and to different plasmacytoma polynucleotides. The nitrocellulose filter binding technique was used to measure RNA-protein interaction. Protein kinase II and PPx preferentially bound mRNA compared to poly(A). They did not bind ribosomal RNA, soluble RNA or DNA. The optimal conditions (temperature, time, protein concentration, ionic strength) for mRNA-protein interaction were determined. Ribosomal protein kinase (protein kinase II) phosphorylated PPx proteins which bound to mRNA represented at least two bands as determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (Mr = 90 000 and 80 000). The high affinity of protein kinase II and PPx for mRNA suggests that they may function in regulating protein synthesis.