Protein synthesis in Trypanosoma brucei brucei was rapidly inhibited during polyamine depletion by DL-alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) in vitro and in vivo. [3H]Leucine incorporation was depressed 30-40% by 24 h and 80-90% by 48 h of DFMO treatment. Concomitantly there was an apparent decrease in the synthesis of the variant-specific glycoprotein (VSG) in DFMO-treated trypanosomes, as measured by decreased incorporation of [3H]myristic acid into VSG. The discovery of decreased protein synthesis in T. b. brucei during DFMO treatment is noteworthy, because it was reported previously that protein synthesis was paradoxically stimulated 2-4-fold during DFMO treatment in these organisms. Decreased protein synthesis probably relates to the biochemical mechanism of action of DFMO on trypanosomes.
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Research Article|
February 15 1988
Effects of α-difluoromethylornithine on protein synthesis and synthesis of the variant-specific glycoprotein (VSG) in Trypanosoma brucei brucei
A J Bitonti;
A J Bitonti
1Merrell Dow Research Institute, Cincinnati, OH 45215.
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D E Cross-Doersen;
D E Cross-Doersen
1Merrell Dow Research Institute, Cincinnati, OH 45215.
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P P McCann
P P McCann
1Merrell Dow Research Institute, Cincinnati, OH 45215.
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Online ISSN: 1470-8728
Print ISSN: 0264-6021
© 1988 London: The Biochemical Society
1988
Biochem J (1988) 250 (1): 295–298.
Citation
A J Bitonti, D E Cross-Doersen, P P McCann; Effects of α-difluoromethylornithine on protein synthesis and synthesis of the variant-specific glycoprotein (VSG) in Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Biochem J 15 February 1988; 250 (1): 295–298. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/bj2500295
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