Netropsin inhibits the increase of intracellular Ca(2+)-dependent serine proteinase activity in sporulating Bacillus megaterium.

Netropsin suppressed the increase of intracellular proteolytic activity when added to B. megaterium incubated in a sporulation medium. The inhibited enzyme was a Ca(2+)-dependent serine proteinase. Sporulation and protein turnover in later sporulation phases were inhibited as well. Different concentrations of netropsin affected various aspects of protein catabolism differently.