Aminoacyl-tRNA binding activity in regenerating kidney following contralateral nephrectomy or administration of folic acid

Homogenates of kidney cortex obtained 2 or 7 days following contralateral nephrectomy or folic acid injection were separated into a ribosome fraction and into a postmicrosomal pH 5 supernatant fraction. The activity of each of these fractions for peptide synthesis from [ 14C]phenylalanyl-tRNA was tested by complementation with similar fractions obtained from normal rat liver. While the ribosomal activity of regenerating kidney was not changed, there was an increase in the activity of the pH 5 supernatant fraction obtained from regenerating kidney. The results provided evidence that the increased incorporation observed with the pH 5 supernatant fraction obtained from regenerating kidney was due to an increased activity of elongation factor 1.