The inhibitory effect of Alcide, an antimicrobial drug, on protein synthesis in Escherichia coli.
Alcide, a broad-spectrum antimicrobial drug, has been shown to kill a wide range of common pathogenic bacteria as well as fungi, in vitro. This agent consists of Part A and Part B which contain sodium chlorite and lactic acid as the active ingredients, respectively. The mixing of these two parts immediately prior to use results in the formation of chlorine dioxide (ClO2), a potent germicidal compound. Exposure of exponentially growing E. coli cells to Alcide resulted in a rapid inhibition of growth as well as loss of viability. Alcide inhibited DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis; however, RNA and protein synthesis were affected at much lower concentrations. The accumulation of the amino acid analog amino-isobutyric acid into growing cultures of E. coli was only partially impaired by Alcide. Cell-free protein synthesis using an RNA directed system was inhibited by Alcide and this effect was lessened in the presence of mercaptoethanol. Higher concentrations of Alcide (1 mM) oxidized 25% of the methionine to methionine sulfoxide. Aminoacylation of E. coli bulk tRNA was decreased in vitro and the aminoacylation of tRNAfMet was particularly sensitive to Alcide.
J
J
Scatina
M S
MS
Abdel-Rahman
E
E
Goldman
D000621:Aminoisobutyric Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002474:Cell-Free System; D002713:Chlorine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017606:Chlorine Compounds; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D005998:Glycine / Q000378:metabolism; D008715:Methionine / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010087:Oxides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012343:RNA, Transfer / Q000378:metabolism
D000621:Aminoisobutyric Acids; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D017606:Chlorine Compounds; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D010087:Oxides; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D002713:Chlorine; C025109:chlorine dioxide; D012343:RNA, Transfer; D008715:Methionine; D005998:Glycine