Effect of serine hydroxamate on the growth of Escherichia coli

The structural analogue of l-serine, l-serine hydroxamate, inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli K-12. Of the other amino acid hydroxamates tested, only l-lysine hydroxamate reduced the rate of growth. Inhibition of growth by l-serine hydroxamate was rapidly reversed by the addition of l-serine to the bacterial culture or by removal of the analogue by filtration. The reversal of inhibition was specific for l-serine. l-Alanine, glycine, or adenine had no effect on an inhibited culture. No evidence for active transport of the analogue was obtained.