The effect of emetine hydrochloride on protein synthesis in rat myocardium was studied. Emetine inhibited incorporation of tritiated leucine into soluble proteins and actomyosin in an in vitro system using minced rat myocardium in a supporting medium. Fifty percent inhibition of incorporation of the isotope into soluble proteins and actomyosin occurred at an emetine concentration of 5 X 10~7 M. Incorporation was also significantly inhibited when animals were treated with emetine for three days. The data suggest that emetine toxicity in the myocardium may be mediated through its effects on protein biosynthesis.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.