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Effect of antibiotics on protein synthesis in filarial parasites
1Division of Biochemistry, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, U.P., India.
Abstract:
Acanthocheilonema viteae, Litomosoides carinii and Setaria cervi were found to actively synthesize proteins in vitro. Different centrifugation fractions and their TCA-precipitable fractions were assessed for the distribution of newly synthesized proteins. Penicillin and streptomycin inhibited the process in A. viteae. The synthesis in S. cervi was susceptible to puromycin, chloramphenicol, cycloheximide, neomycin and polymyxin B. The process in L. carinii was strongly blocked by puromycin while chloramphenicol had no significant effect.
Insights
Filamentous nematodes Acanthocheilonema viteae, Litomosoides carinii, and Setaria cervi actively synthesize proteins. Antibiotics and inhibitors differentially affected protein synthesis in these parasitic worms.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Parasitic nematodes are significant pathogens.
- Understanding their protein synthesis is crucial for developing targeted therapies.
- Acanthocheilonema viteae, Litomosoides carinii, and Setaria cervi are relevant models for studying nematode biology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare in vitro protein synthesis in three distinct nematode species.
- To identify the distribution of newly synthesized proteins within cellular fractions.
- To determine the susceptibility of protein synthesis to various antibiotics and inhibitors.
Main Methods:
- In vitro protein synthesis assays were performed on A. viteae, L. carinii, and S. cervi.
- Differential centrifugation was used to isolate cellular fractions.
- TCA precipitation was employed to quantify newly synthesized proteins.
- The effects of antibiotics (penicillin, streptomycin, neomycin, polymyxin B) and inhibitors (puromycin, chloramphenicol, cycloheximide) were assessed.
Main Results:
- All three nematode species demonstrated active in vitro protein synthesis.
- Penicillin and streptomycin inhibited protein synthesis in A. viteae.
- Puromycin, chloramphenicol, cycloheximide, neomycin, and polymyxin B affected protein synthesis in S. cervi.
- Puromycin strongly inhibited protein synthesis in L. carinii, while chloramphenicol had minimal impact.
Conclusions:
- Protein synthesis mechanisms vary among these parasitic nematodes.
- The differential susceptibility to inhibitors suggests distinct ribosomal or translational machinery.
- These findings provide a basis for exploring novel anti-nematode drug targets.