In vitro translation of hypoxanthine/guanine phosphoribosyltransferase mRNA: characterization of a mouse neuroblastoma cell line that has elevated levels of hypoxanthine/guanine phosphoribosyltransferase protein.

Abstract
Antibody specific for the native form of Chinese hamster hypoxanthine/guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT; IMP:pyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferase, EC 2.4.2.8) was used to detect the synthesis of HPRT protein in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate translation system primed with mRNA from Chinese hamster tissues and cultured cells. Electrophoretic analysis of the immunopurified products from the translation of mRNA from wild-type and a series of mutant Chinese hamster cells indicated that HPRT synthesis in vitro qualitatively and quantitatively corresponded to synthesis in vivo. The translation system was used to identify 2 mRNA sources producing high levels of HPRT protein: Chinese hamster brain and a mouse neuroblastoma HPRT revertant cell line, NBR4. Translation of NBR4 mRNA generated 25-50 times more HPRT protein than mRNA from wild-type cells. The basis for HPRT overproduction is considered in view of an X chromosome alteration found in NBR4 cells.