title: Effect of cerulenin on growth and lipid metabolism of mycoplasmas.
abstract: Cerulenin markedly inhibited the growth of Acholeplasma laidlawii. A. axanthum and A. granularum were less susceptible, whereas the sterol-requiring Mycoplasma species examined showed very little susceptibility. The inhibition was not reversed by the addition of long-chain fatty acids to the medium. At a concentration of 20 mug/ml, cerulenin inhibited the incorporation of [(14)C]acetate into A. laidlawii membrane lipids, but it had no effect on either protein or nucleic acid biosynthesis. Cerulenin inhibited both the de novo synthesis of long-chain fatty acids and the elongation of medium-chain fatty acids. As a result, carotenoid biosynthesis was stimulated, and increased amounts of oleic and elaidic acids were incorporated into membrane polar lipids. Our studies support the concept that cerulenin can serve as a useful tool for obtaining better control of fatty acid composition of A. laidlawii membranes.
mesh_terms: D000127:Acholeplasma / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects; D002569:Cerulenin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D002569:Cerulenin