On the mode of action of a new antifungal antibiotic, aculeacin A: inhibition of cell wall synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The mode of action of a new antifungal antibiotic, aculeacin A, was studied with the cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In the presence of aculeacin A, the distinct decrease of viable cells was observed. The most of cells treated with aculeacin A lysed with releasing intracellular substances at the tips of their buds. This lysis was considered to be due to the inhibition of cell wall synthesis, because the incorporation of glucose into the cell wall glucan was significantly reduced. Aculeacin A also had a weak activity to burst the protoplasts of S. cerevisiae at a relatively high concentration.