Effects of the antibiotic resistomycin on the synthesis of macromolecules

• Published in: Zeitschrift fur allgemeine Mikrobiologie Vol. 15; no. 6; p. 411
• Main Authors: Haupt, I, Wähnert, U, Pitra, C, Löber, G, Luck, G, Eckardt, K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 1975
• Subjects: Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Bacillus subtilis - drug effects; Bacillus subtilis - enzymology; Bacillus subtilis - metabolism; Bacterial Proteins - biosynthesis; Cell-Free System; DNA Nucleotidyltransferases - metabolism; DNA, Bacterial - biosynthesis; DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases - metabolism; Lactones - pharmacology; RNA, Bacterial - biosynthesis
• ISSN: 0044-2208
• DOI: 10.1002/jobm.19750150604

Resistomycin preferentially inhibits RNA synthesis in comparison to DNA and protein synthesis in intact bacterial cells. Studies with cell-free systems have shown that the antibiotic interferes with DNA and RNA synthesis, while protein synthesis is inhibited to a much lesser extent. Detailed studies in cell-free systems indicate an interaction of resistomycin with DNA- and RNA polymerase. In the case of RNA polymerase this was proved by CD measurements, whereas no interaction of the antibiotic with DNA, RNA, and homopolynucleotides could be found. One can conclude that the binding of the antibiotic to RNA polymerase is the basis for its interference with RNA synthesis.