Figure 6.

A GCN2-dependent and a GCN2-independent pathway are involved in inhibition of translation initiation by isoflurane. Logarithmically growing cultures of various strains were split and incubated in the presence or absence of isofluarane (Iso) for 0, 15, 60, or 120 min before harvesting the cells. Extracts were prepared and polysomes were separated on sucrose gradients. The gradients were fractionated and scanned for UV absorbance at 254 nm. (A) Isoflurane rapidly inhibits translation initiation in RLK88-3C. This inhibition is maintained throughout the length of exposure to the anesthetic. (B) Translation initiation is rapidly inhibited in the gcn2Δ strain P1837 but the inhibition is not maintained. (C) Isoflurane does not inhibit translation in the prototrophic strain P1480.