Protein Kinases and Their Protein Substrates in Free Messenger Ribonucleoprotein Particles and Polysomes from Mouse Plasmacytoma Cells

In free messenger ribonucleoprotein particles (mRNP) and polysomes from plasmacytoma cells, a phosphorylated protein/protein kinase system has been characterized by a combination of oligo(dT)-cellulose chromatography and CsCl isopycnic gradient centrifugation. The presence phosphorylated in vivo has been detected in both types of particles. Endogenous protein phosphorylation occurs in vitro by particle-associated cAMP-independent protein kinase(s) using [gamma-32P]ATP and [gamma-32P]GTP. These kinases are sensitive to hemin action. Analysis of mRNP proteins by gel electrophoresis and autoradiography showed strong analogies between the phosphorylation patterns obtained in vivo and in vitro, suggesting a substrate specificity for the associated enzymes. The phosphorylated proteins have been compared to initiation factors and ribosomal proteins. We have partially purified the cAMP-independent protein kinase activities responsible for the endogenous phosphorylation in free mRNP and polysomes; two activities were identified in free mRNP whereas three activities were found to be associated with polysomes.