Cytoplasmic particles and aminoacyl transferase I activity

It has been possible to show by electron microscopy of samples selected from sucrose gradients that particles of specific size and shape are present in supernatant fluids derived from nucleated animal and plant cells, but not in extracts from Escherichia coli. Aminoacyl transferase I activity in these same gradients sediments in two peaks representing material of approximately 5-7S and 18-20S. A rectangular particle, 100 × 145 A in size, sediments at 19S and coincides with the second peak of transferase I activity. The possibility that the rectangular particle may be a "carrier" particle associated with transferase I is discussed.