Abstract
The ribosome and initiation factor requirements for translation of rabbit-reticulocyte hemoglobin mRNA on rabbit reticulocyte ribosomes, reticulocyte ribosomal subunits, and liver ribosomes have been studied. Excellent synthesis of globin chains from exogenous mRNA in the fractionated cell-free system has been achieved. There is a near absolute requirement for each of the initiation factors, M(1), M(2), and M(3) (as well as for the supernatant proteins) for the translation of exogenous mRNA. Liver microsomal wash will partially replace reticulocyte factors M(1) and M(2), but will not replace the requirement for reticulocyte factor M(3). Rabbit liver ribosomes and rabbit reticulocyte ribosomes are equally active in their ability to support the translation of exogenous hemoglobin mRNA.