Rates of aminoacyl-transfer-ribonucleic acid synthesis in vivo and in vitro by bean leaves

A procedure for measuring rates of aminoacyl-tRNA synthesis in vitro and in intact leaves is presented. 2. Leaf discs showed rates close to those of intact leaves. 3. Cell-free preparations showed similar rates when assayed by pyrophosphate exchange, but actual aminoacyl-tRNA formation rates appeared to be much lower. Evidence is presented that dilution of supplied labelled amino acids was a major factor causing the low apparent rates. 4. Attempts to strip endogenous amino acids from plant tRNA resulted in low acceptor capability of the tRNA.