Inhibition of protein synthesis in reticulocyte lysates by trichodermin.

1. The effect of trichodermin as an inhibitor of eukaryotic protein synthesis was studied in a reticulocyte cell-free system. 2. Trichodermin at a concentration of 25 mug/ml inhibits total protein synthesis instantaneously and stabilizes polyribosome profiles. Conversely, at a concentration of 0.25 mug/ml the drug inhibits total protein synthesis by only 70-75% and allows 30-35% breakdown of the polyribosomes in the system. These effects were compared with those produced by two other drugs (pactamycin and anisomycin) examined under conditions identical with those used for trichodermin.