Functional 70S hybrid ribosomes from blue-green algae and bacteria

Hybrid 70S ribosomes were produced by combing Anacystis nidulans and Escherichia coli 30S and 50S subunits. Both the A. nidulans 30SE. coli 50S and E. coli 30S- A. nidulans 50S hybrids were functional in synthesizing protein when tested in a standard in vitro amino acid incorporating system. Both 70S hybrids were inhibited by streptomycin but the degree of inhibition was dependent upon the source of the 30S subunit. The ability to form functional 70S ribosomes from subunits of blue-green algae and bacteria is further evidence of the procaryotic nature of blue-greens and of the functional homology of the two protein synthesizing systems.