Regulation of macromolecular synthesis by putrescine in a conditional Escherichia coli putrescine auxotroph.
Addition of putrescine to a slowly growing, polyamine-starved Escherichia coli K-12 mutant conditionally incapable of synthesizing putrescine causes the immediate stimulation of protein synthesis. After a period ranging from 60 to 105 min, ribonucleic acid (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) syntheses are also stimulated and rapid cellular division begins. Chloramphenicol blocks this rapid cellular division, although addition of the specific DNA synthesis inhibitor, nalidixic acid, has no effect on cell division. By sucrose gradient analysis and diethylaminoethyl-cellulose chromatography, the proteins initially made in response to putrescine appear to be composed of many classes, including membrane-bound proteins. However, the synthesis of ribosomal subunits is not altered during this period. A possible role for putrescine in either the stimulation of messenger RNA transcription or in translation is suggested.
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D002701:Chloramphenicol / Q000494:pharmacology; D002848:Chromatography, DEAE-Cellulose; D003470:Culture Media; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000032:analysis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D005827:Genetics, Microbial; D007930:Leucine / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation; D009268:Nalidixic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D011700:Putrescine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000032:analysis; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D013941:Thymine / Q000378:metabolism; D014316:Tritium; D014498:Uracil / Q000378:metabolism
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D003470:Culture Media; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D014316:Tritium; D009268:Nalidixic Acid; D014498:Uracil; D002701:Chloramphenicol; D007930:Leucine; D013941:Thymine; D011700:Putrescine