Translational control mediated by eucaryotic initiation factor-2 is restricted to specific mRNAs in transfected cells.
The translational efficiency of mRNA molecules transcribed from plasmid DNA transfected into COS-1 monkey cells can be increased 10- to 20-fold by the coexpression of the adenovirus virus-associated RNAs I and II. Experiments described here demonstrate a similar increase in translational efficiency by the addition of 2-aminopurine, an inhibitor of double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase, to the culture medium. Both virus-associated RNA and 2-aminopurine presumably exert their effect by alteration of the functional level of eucaryotic initiation factor-2. The translational stimulation mediated by both means is shown to be restricted to the plasmid-derived mRNAs because there is no qualitative or quantitative alteration in host protein synthesis. The results are consistent with models invoking a localized activation of double-stranded RNA-activated kinase leading to a translational block.
D015075:2-Aminopurine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D015852:Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2; D010448:Peptide Initiation Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D010957:Plasmids; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D014162:Transfection
D015852:Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2; D010448:Peptide Initiation Factors; D011506:Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012367:RNA, Viral; D015075:2-Aminopurine