Hygromycin B Inhibition of Protein Synthesis and Ribosome Biogenesis in Escherichia Coli
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-1-2007
Description
The aminoglycoside antibiotic hygromycin B was examined in Escherichia coli cells for inhibitory effects on translation and ribosomal-subunit formation. Pulse-chase labeling experiments were performed, which verified lower rates of ribosomal-subunit synthesis in drug-treated cells. Hygromycin B exhibited a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on viable-cell numbers, growth rate, protein synthesis, and 30S and 50S subunit formation. Unlike other aminoglycosides, hygromycin B was a more effective inhibitor of translation than of ribosomal-subunit formation in E. coli. Examination of total RNA from treated cells showed an increase in RNA corresponding to a precursor to the 16S rRNA, while mature 16S rRNA decreased. Northern hybridization to rRNA in cells treated with hygromycin B showed that RNase II- and RNase III-deficient strains of E. coli accumulated 16S rRNA fragments upon treatment with the drug. The results indicate that hygromycin B targets protein synthesis and 30S ribosomal-subunit assembly.
Citation Information
McGaha, Susan M.; and Champney, W. Scott. 2007. Hygromycin B Inhibition of Protein Synthesis and Ribosome Biogenesis in Escherichia Coli. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. Vol.51(2). 591-596. https://doi.org/10.1128/AAC.01116-06 PMID: 17043113 ISSN: 0066-4804