POLYAMINES AND PROTEIN SYNTHESIS .I. EFFECT OF POLYAMINES ON CELL FREE POLYPHENYLALANINE SYNTHESIS IN ESCHERICHIA COLI

Replacement of magnesium ions by polyamines such as spermine, spermidine and putrescine, in polyphenylalanine synthesis by cell free preparations of Escherichia coli is described. When the concentration of magnesium ions in the reaction mixture is 5mM, no polyphenylalanine synthesis is observed. However, on addition of 0.4 mM spermine alone, 3 mM spermidine alone or a mixture of 0.2 mM spermine and 1.5 mM spermidine, maximum incorporation of phenylalanine into polypeptide is observed. Putrescine can also replace magnesium ions. Among the three polyamines tested, spermine is the most effective in replacing magnesium ions, followed in order by spermidine and putrescine. © 1969 BY THE JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY.