Requirement for Ribosome‐Releasing Factor for the Release of Ribosomes at the Termination Codon

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Abstract
With the use of 3H‐labeled R17 amB2 phage RNA having an UAG codon at the seventh triplet of the coat cistron, release of the RNA from ribosomes at the termination codon was studied. The ribosome‐releasing factor previously described was shown to stimulate the process of mRNA release at the termination codon. The stimulatory effect of the factor on this process was dependent on the termination factor (RF‐1). GTP was required for this process and guanosine 5′‐(β,γ‐methylene)triphosphate could not replace GTP. No apparent change of size of R17 RNA was observed during the release of the R17 RNA from the ribosomes. The ribosome‐releasing factor is distinct from the known termination codon‐specific factor such as RF‐1.