Gluconimycin an inhibitor of pyrimidine synthesis in Bacillus subtilis

Pyrimidine synthesis in Bacillus subtilis PCI-219 cells was the primary site of action of the antibiotic gluconimycin as indicated by its arresting the activity of aspartate carbamoyltransferase as well as accumulation of aspartic acid in cultures fortified with gluconimycin. Microbial growth and viable counts were suppressed by the antibiotic whereas glycolysis and aerobic respiration were insignificantly affected. Gluconimycin failed to induce a lytic effect on cell protoplasts while considerable amounts of substances absorbing at 260 nm were released from microbial cells treated with gluconimycin.