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. 1976 Feb;9(2):301–307. doi: 10.1128/aac.9.2.301

Effect of Cerulenin on Growth and Lipid Metabolism of Mycoplasmas

S Rottem 1, M F Barile 1
PMCID: PMC429518  PMID: 1267428

Abstract

Cerulenin markedly inhibited the growth of Acholeplasma laidlawii. A. axanthum and A. granularum were less susceptible, whereas the sterol-requiring Mycoplasma species examined showed very little susceptibility. The inhibition was not reversed by the addition of long-chain fatty acids to the medium. At a concentration of 20 μg/ml, cerulenin inhibited the incorporation of [14C]acetate into A. laidlawii membrane lipids, but it had no effect on either protein or nucleic acid biosynthesis. Cerulenin inhibited both the de novo synthesis of long-chain fatty acids and the elongation of medium-chain fatty acids. As a result, carotenoid biosynthesis was stimulated, and increased amounts of oleic and elaidic acids were incorporated into membrane polar lipids. Our studies support the concept that cerulenin can serve as a useful tool for obtaining better control of fatty acid composition of A. laidlawii membranes.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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