G-418, an elongation inhibitor of 80 S ribosomes

Shoshana Bar-Nun*, Yonah Shneyour, Jacques S. Beckmann

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

The mode of action of the aminoglycoside G-418 was studied in wheat-germ, cell-free translation systems programmed with rat-liver polyadenylated RNA. Incorporation of amino acids into protein was effectively inhibited by G-418 in the μM concentration range. The inhibition pattern obtained was not uniform. The synthesis of polypeptides with higher molecular weights was more inhibited than that of smaller polypeptides. An identical inhibition pattern within a similar range of concentrations was obtained with cycloheximide, a known elongation inhibitor. Translation activity was abolished when the wheat-germ 80 S ribosomes were removed and could be partially reconstructed upon addition of the ribosomes. Incubation with G-418 prior to isolation yielded ribosomes defective in their reconstruction ability. The inhibition pattern was not uniform and exhibited again the same relationship between the size of a polypeptide and the extent of inhibition of its synthesis. Therefore, we suggest that in wheat-germ, cell-free translation systems G-418 affects the 80 S ribosomes and inhibits the elongation cycle.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)123-127
Number of pages5
JournalBBA - Gene Structure and Expression
Volume741
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 13 Oct 1983

Funding

FundersFunder number
IsraelA cademy of SciencesB
U.S. Israel BinationaAl griculturaRl esearcha nd Devel-opmentF und
BARD

    Keywords

    • (Wheat germ)
    • 80 S ribosome
    • Aminoglycoside
    • Elongation inhibitor
    • G-418
    • Translation

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'G-418, an elongation inhibitor of 80 S ribosomes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this