Protein Synthesis Directed by an Arbovirus

Abstract

In contrast to chick embryo fibroblast protein synthesis, the bulk of the protein synthesis directed by Semliki Forest virus is carried out on membranes. Under conditions where more than 95% of cell protein synthesis was inhibited, viral polysomes could be demonstrated. Viral protein appeared to be produced on polysomes associated with nascent ribonucleic acid strands still attached to the base-paired, double-stranded replicative form of the virus. Very rapid incorporation of virus protein into 140 S virus core particles was also demonstrated.