Compounds Affecting Membranes That Inhibit Protein Synthesis in Yeast

The regulation of translation has been investigated in yeast cells by means of ionophores and other compounds affecting the ionic concentration inside the cell. Treatment of a variety of cells with these compounds produces a drastic inhibition in the protein-synthesizing activity of the cell. Protein synthesis in yeast is strongly inhibited by amphotericin B and nystatin. Mammalian cells are blocked in their translation capacity by gramicidin D, nigericin, monensin, nystatin, A23187, and bromolasalocid. The effects of these compounds on protein synthesis in Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were also investigated. Amphotericin B is a powerful inhibitor of both protein and ribonucleic acid syntheses in yeast cells at concentrations that do not affect the transport of the labeled amino acid or nucleoside precursor. The analysis of the polysomal profiles in yeast spheroplasts could indicate that initiation is the target of amphotericin B action on translation. Studies on the reversion of the protein synthesis blockade by amphotericin B by increasing the potassium concentration in the medium suggest that changes in the potassium concentration in cellular cytoplasm might be responsible, at least in part, for the inhibition of protein synthesis.