Transcription-translation coupling and polarity: a possible role of cyclic AMP

Using specific mutants exhibiting altered translational rates we found that when the rate of protein synthesis is reduced the polarity of the lactose and galactose operons is increased. This polarity is in part relieved by cyclic AMP. On the basis of in vitro hybridization experiments were propose that the cyclic AMP-CAP complex and the ribosomes display similar functions, namely destabilization of the RNA-DNA hybrid formed during transcription.