Open AccessThe Distribution of Polysomes, Ribosomes and Ribosomal Subunits in Exponential‐Phase Cells of Bacillus licheniformis
Author(s) -
DijkSalkinoja M. S.,
Stoof T. J.,
Planta R. J.
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
european journal of biochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1432-1033
pISSN - 0014-2956
DOI - 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1970.tb00875.x
Subject(s) - bacillus licheniformis , lysis , polysome , ribosome , ribosomal rna , biochemistry , membrane , spermidine , biology , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , rna , enzyme , bacteria , bacillus subtilis , genetics , gene
1 The distribution of ribosomal particles between the soluble and membrane fractions of exponential‐phase cells of Bacillus licheniformis was studied. The cells were very gently lysed by a combined treatment with lysozyme and Brij 58 in 10 mM Tris‐buffer, pH 7.6, with 60 mM K + , 10 mM Mg 2+ , 0.5 mM spermine and 0.75 mM spermidine. The proportion of the ribosomal material present in the membrane fraction was estimated after solubilization of the membranes by the combined action of Brij 58, deoxyribonuclease and lipase. 2 Under these conditions of lysis 96% of the total ribosomal material, consisting of subunits (12%) monosomes (20%) and polyribosomes (68%) and most of the cellular DNA, is found to be membrane‐bound. 3 In the soluble fraction, containing only 4% of the total cellular amount of the ribosomal material, only subunits and 70S particles and no polyribosomes are found. 4 DNA does not seem to be involved in the binding of the ribosomal material to the membranes. 5 The results will be discussed considering the question of whether the distribution described in this paper represents the true distribution in vivo of ribosomes.