Synthesis of Rauscher murine leukemia virus-specific polypeptides in vitro

The biosynthesis of specific polypeptides directed by purified viral messenger RNA from JLS-V9 cells infected with Rauscher leukemia virus has been studied in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate. The 35S viral mRNA gives rise to two major products of 65,000 and 72,000 molecular weight. The synthesis of specific polypeptides was also investigated in lysates derived from infected cells. The main products were polypeptides with molecular weights of 65,000, 76,000, and 82,000, and were preferentially made in association with membranes. The relative content of the virus-specific polypeptide of 65,000 molecular weight, synthesized in a cell-free system supplemented with purified polyribosomes, is considerably higher for membrane-bound polyribosomes.