Protein composition and functional activity of various polysome subpopulations isolated from Vicia faba L. leaves and Triticum aestivum L. and Hordeum vulgare L. seedlings were studied. Membrane- and cytoskeleton-bound polysomes were more active in the wheat germ cell-free translational system than free polysomes. Several non-ribosomal proteins were detected in the polysome preparations by gel electrophoresis and Western blot analysis: (1) a canonical actin of mol wt 42 kDa; (2) a 40 kDa protein, demonstrating affinity for ribosomes, sharing some determinants with actin, and present predominantly in the subpopulations of bound polysomes; and (3) an acidic ribosome-associated p40 evenly distributed between free and bound polysomes. The possibility of involvement of these proteins in interactions between polysomes and the actin cytoskeleton is discussed.
Copyright 2000 Academic Press.