Abstract
In a stringent strain of Eseherichia coli, the polysomes disappeared when net RNA synthesis was inhibited by amino acid starvation. Polysomes appeared under conditions where net RNA synthesis resumed, both in the presence and absence of protein synthesis. Polysomes did not disappear in a relaxed strain, where RNA synthesis continues during amono acid starvation. Thus, there is a direct correlation between the level of polysomes and the synthesis of net RNA. Since mRNA synthesis apparently continues during amino acid starvation, the disappearance of polysomes must result from the failure of the ribosomes to re-attach to mRNA. The mechanism is discussed whereby the dissociation of polysomes could result in an inhibition of stable RNA formation and prevent the incorporation of exogenous precursors into mRNA.

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