Partial characterization of procollagen messenger ribonucleic acid in a murine chondrosarcoma

Cells from a rat chondrosarcoma in primary suspension culture were used for labeling studies and isolation of RNA. With extended labeling, a distinct fraction of poly(A+)RNA sedimented in the region of 26S on denaturing sucrose gradients. Similar profiles were obtained with labeled poly(A+)RNA isolated from normal cartilage tissues, as well as from chondrocytes in culture. This mRNA coded for collagenous protein when translated in a cell-free system derived from wheat germ. Among the polypeptides synthesized in vitro, one distinctive component of approximately 150,000 daltons was detected by gel electrophoresis. Polypeptides of identical size, sensitive to bacterial collagenase, were also synthesized in vitro by polysomes isolated from the chondrosarcoma.