Table 1.

Properties of protein synthesis inhibitors

Translation inhibitor	Reversibility	Mechanism of action	Effect on ribosome	Reference
CHX	Reversible	Binds E site, 60S ribosome subunit	Blocks translocation during elongation; stabilizes polysomes	Schneider-Poetsch et al., 2010
Emetine	Irreversible	Binds 40S ribosome subunit	Freezes translation during elongation; stabilizes polysomes	Jiménez et al., 1977
Anisomycin	Reversible	Binds A site, 60S ribosome subunit; competes with PMY	Blocks peptidyl transferase activity; stabilizes polysomes	Hansen et al., 2003
Pactamycin	Reversible	Binds 40S ribosome subunit in initiation complex	Blocks initiation step of translation; inhibits polysome formation	Kappen et al., 1973
Sodium arsenite	Reversible	Oxidative stressor induces eIF2a phosphorylation	Induces stress granule; inhibits polysome formation	Kedersha et al., 2002
Harringtonine	Partially reversible	Prevents peptide bond formation at the initiation complex	Blocks initiation step of translation; inhibits polysome formation	Fresno et al., 1977