Effects of 5-fluorouracil and 6-azauracil on the synthesis of ribonucleic acid and protein in Saccharomyces carlsbergensis

Biochem J. 1968 Jan;106(1):167-78. doi: 10.1042/bj1060167.

Abstract

1. Some effects of 6-azauracil and 5-fluorouracil on protein and RNA synthesis in Saccharomyces carlsbergensis were studied. 2. Both analogues caused a severe inhibition of RNA formation, whereas protein synthesis was much less affected. 3. Induced alpha-glucosidase formation was only slightly impaired. 4. Both analogues caused an inhibition of ribosome formation, although 5-fluorouracil was far more effective. 5. In the presence of the latter analogue abnormal RNA of high molecular weight and of more DNA-like base composition accumulated. On reincubation in medium free of analogue but containing uracil the abnormal RNA disappeared and was replaced by the normally sedimenting high-molecular-weight RNA species.

MeSH terms

  • Adenine / metabolism
  • Antimetabolites / metabolism
  • Carbon Isotopes
  • Centrifugation, Density Gradient
  • DNA
  • Depression, Chemical
  • Enzyme Induction
  • Fluorouracil / pharmacology*
  • Glucosidases / biosynthesis*
  • Lysine / metabolism
  • Molecular Weight
  • Phosphorus Isotopes
  • Protein Biosynthesis*
  • Protoplasts / enzymology
  • RNA / biosynthesis*
  • Ribosomes / metabolism*
  • Saccharomyces / drug effects
  • Saccharomyces / enzymology
  • Saccharomyces / metabolism*
  • Time Factors
  • Triazines / pharmacology*
  • Uracil / analogs & derivatives
  • Uracil / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antimetabolites
  • Carbon Isotopes
  • Phosphorus Isotopes
  • Triazines
  • Uracil
  • RNA
  • DNA
  • Glucosidases
  • Adenine
  • Lysine
  • Fluorouracil