Polypeptide synthesis catalysed by components of Pichinde virus disrupted by detergent

Pichinde virus preparations were investigated for ribosomal components and associated activities. After detergent treatment and fractionation, viral components were assayed for polypeptide synthesis, elongation of nascent polypeptide chains, and mRNA activity. It was demonstrated that these subviral particles could synthesize polypeptides when exogenous mRNA template, aminoacyl--tRNAs, translation factors, GTP and appropriate cations were added. Undisrupted, whole virions could not synthesize polypeptide; disruption and subsequent centrifugation of subviral ribosomes was a prerequisite for the biosynthetic activity described.