An Efficient Procedure for the Isolation of Polyribosomes from Tissue Culture

Abstract

In this paper an efficient procedure is described for the isolation of polysomes from tissue culture cells. Optimal yields, especially of the heavier classes of polysomes can only be obtained at a rather high KC1 concentration in the presence of nonionic detergent. Evidence is provided that the lower polysomal yield after extraction at low salt concentration is not due to breakdown of the polysomes by RNAase. Furthermore, the yield of polysomes is pH dependent only at low salt concentration, while at high salt concentration no influence of the pH is observed. Refreshing of growth medium several hours before harvesting the cells, increases the ratio of polysomes to 80 S monomers.