In vitro translation in a hamster brain cell-free system

We have developed a cell-free translation system derived from hamster brain tissue. The optimal incorporation conditions were 160 mM K+, 2 mM Mg2+ and microM spermine. The absence of this latter compound could be compensated only by doubling (to 4 mM) Mg2+ concentration. This system was inhibited by cycloheximide and emetine (elongation inhibitors) as well as NaF and aurintricarboxilic acid (ATA) (initiation inhibitors). The nature of the ATA inhibiting effect was studied by kinetic comparison with cycloheximide and polyribosome sedimentation pattern.