Antimycin A: stimulation of cell division and protein synthesis in Tetrahymena pyriformis

Addition of antimycin A to a culture of Tetrahymena pyriformis caused an increase in cell division and protein synthesis in this ciliated protozoan. The antimycin effect is a function of the time of exposure to the antibiotic as well as of the age of the culture. A large accumulation of endoplasmic reticulum, reflecting increased protein synthesis, was visualized by electron microscopy in cells stimulated by the antimycin A.