Rolf G Werner

Inhibition of protein synthesis by three erythromycin-derivatives

Abstract Three N-substituted 9(S)-erythromicylamines, which possess a lower minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) against gram negative bacteria than erythromycin itself, were tested for their inhibitory effect on protein synthesis in a pro- and eukaryotic system, in comparison to erythromycin. The derivatives inhibit poly(A) dependent polylysine synthesis stronger than erythromycin. Competition experiments under conditions of equilibrium dialysis and tests of various ribosomal functions demonstrate that the stronger action of the derivatives is at least partially due to a higher affinity for the 50S subunit and is not due to an altered specificity of inhibition.