The transcription and translation in vitro of individual cereal storage-protein genes from wheat (Triticum aestivum, cv. Chinese Spring). Evidence for translocation of the translation products and disulphide-bond formation

Abstract

Genes coding for the high-Mr [‘high-molecular-weight’ (HMW)] glutenin subunit 12 and for a gamma-gliadin from wheat (Triticum aestivum, cv. Chinese Spring) were subcloned into transcription-translation vectors. In each case transcription in vitro yielded a RNA transcript which when added to a rabbit reticulocyte cell-free translation system directed the synthesis of a polypeptide of appropriate Mr by SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis (SDS/PAGE). When dog pancreatic microsomal vesicles were added to the translation system, translocation of the newly synthesized polypeptides occurred, as judged by protection from proteolysis. When translation and translocation of the gamma-gliadin was carried out under conditions favouring the formation of disulphide bonds, a polypeptide was synthesized which had a faster mobility on SDS/PAGE carried out under non-reducing conditions than under reducing conditions. This suggests that the processed and translocated gamma-gliadin forms an intramolecular disulphide bond or bonds during synthesis in vitro.