Interaction between Membrane Functions and Protein Synthesis in Reticulocytes: A Membrane Constituent which Inhibits Protein Synthesis in Cell‐Free System

The reticulocyte cell membrane was investigated for the role that it plays in cellular protein synthesis. It was found that a strong inhibition in protein synthesis occurred when a membranal extract was added to a cell‐free protein‐synthesizing system. The membranal extract was obtained by disrupting and then solubilizing cell membranes with the non‐ionic detergent Triton X‐100. The inhibition in protein synthesis could neither be attributed to an RNAse‐type action nor to a reduction in the energy level of the system. Preliminary results show that the principal site of action occurs at the elongation or/and termination stages of protein synthesis. Initial purification of the inhibitory component was achieved.