Properties distinguishing mitochondrial and synaptosomal protein synthesis.

Abstract Mouse brain synaptosomal protein synthesis in vitro is inhibited by chloramphenicol, cycloheximide, emetine, and chloroquine,whereas mouse brain mitochondria are sensitive to inhibition only by chloramphenicol. These results, and others cited, confirm that: (1) brain mitochondria do not differ from other mitochondria except for their capacity for a faster rate of in vitro protein synthesis; (2) isolated synaptosomes apparently possess two protein synthetic systems. Furthermore, based upon the effects of combinations of inhibitiors, the two systems are in some manner interdependent.