Effect of Putative Deoxyribonucleic Acid Inhibitors on Macromolecular Synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract

The effects of inhibitors of bacterial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis upon logarithmically growing cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were investigated. Cell division, ribonucleic acid (RNA) synthesis, and DNA synthesis were measured after addition of nalidixic acid, fluorodeoxyuridine, or phenethyl alcohol to cultures of yeast growing in defined and complex media. Both nalidixic acid and fluorodeoxyuridine had only temporary effects on nucleic acid synthesis in cultures growing in defined medium, and little or no observable effect on cultures growing in complex medium. Neither compound inhibited colony formation on complex solid medium, although growth was slow on defined solid medium. Phenethyl alcohol caused complete inhibition of DNA synthesis, RNA synthesis, and cell division in cultures growing in defined medium. In cultures growing in complex medium, RNA synthesis and cell division were inhibited to a lesser extent. A slight increase in DNA was observed in the presence of the inhibitor.

COLCEMID INHIBITION OF CELL GROWTH AND THE CHARACTERIZATION OF A COLCEMID-BINDING ACTIVITY IN SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE

“…It seemed possible that under conditions of starvation (stationary phase cells in minimal medium), the cell might not be able to maintain a fully impermeable membrane ; Colcemid or colchicine might therefore penetrate the cell more readily . A similar suggestion was supported by observations made on the effects of inhibitors of macromolecular synthesis in yeast (11) . The extent of uptake of Colcemid and colchicine was therefore measured under different physiological conditions to determine whether changes in sensitivity to the drugs were primarily dependent on uptake .…”

Mutations sensitizing yeast cells to the start inhibitor nalidixic acid

“…(Singer and Johnston, 1979). At a Start-blocking concentration, Nal causes severe inhibition of rRNA synthesis and 35s pre-rRNA cleavage (Wehr et al, 1970;Whittaker and Carnevali, 1977;Singer and Johnston, 1979;Veinot-Drebot et al, 1989), with lesser but significant inhibition of poly(A)' RNA synthesis and protein synthesis (Whittaker and Carnevali, 1977;Singer and Johnston, 1979;Veinot-Drebot et al, 1989). These observations suggest that Nal may initially inhibit key biosynthetic processes, which may then impair the performance of Start.…”

Selective Inhibition of Deoxyribonucleic Acid Synthesis by 2-Deoxyadenosine in the Blue-Green Bacterium Agmenellum quadruplicatum

“…However, no agents have been shown to selectively inhibit DNA synthesis in any of the blue-green bacteria. Wehr et al (26) amply demonstrate the problems associated with applying inhibitors, with demonstrated selective properties in one system, to a new system.…”