Mechanism of protein synthesis inhibition during stationary phase in Bacillus stearothermophilus

The appearance of a protein (association factor I) in ribosomes from Bacillus stearothermophilus at stationary phase of growth is described. Association factor I is present on 30S subunits and 30S-50S ribosomal couples, but not on 50S subunits. This protein is responsible for the low levels of polyphenylalanine synthesis shown by stationary phase ribosomes. Association factor I is able to bind to free 30S-50S ribonsomal couples but not to polysomes, and exerts its effect by inhibiting the initiation step of protein synthesis. Ribonsomes preincubated with association factor I have a decreased ability for polypeptide synthesis directed page mRNA or poly(U).