@article{mbs:/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/0022-1317-25-1-11, author = "Davies, J. W. and Kaesberg, P.", title = "Translation of Virus mRNA: Protein Synthesis Directed by Several Virus RNAs in a Cell-free Extract from Wheat Germ", journal= "Journal of General Virology", year = "1974", volume = "25", number = "1", pages = "11-20", doi = "https://doi.org/10.1099/0022-1317-25-1-11", url = "https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/0022-1317-25-1-11", publisher = "Microbiology Society", issn = "1465-2099", type = "Journal Article", abstract = "SUMMARY The ability of wheat germ cell-free extracts to translate several virus RNAs has been surveyed, using RNA from viruses with different host ranges, and which do not normally infect wheat. Synthesis of specific coat protein-like products was achieved with RNAs from cowpea chlorotic mottle virus, broad bean mottle virus, cucumber mosaic virus, and alfalfa mosaic virus. It appears to be mainly the small RNAs (which contain the coat protein cistron) that are translated with most fidelity. The larger RNA components of these multicomponent viruses direct amino acid incorporation quite efficiently, but the products are heterogenous. Other larger RNAs, such as tobacco mosaic virus RNA, also produce a heterogenous (polydisperse) mixture of polypeptides, rather than virus products. The RNAs of Maus–Elberfeld virus and avian myoblastosis virus stimulate a little amino acid incorporation without directing the synthesis of any recognizable virus protein-sized products. The relationship of RNA size with translatability is discussed.", }