FORMATION OF N-FORMYL-METHIONYL-PUROMYCIN BY INTACT CELLS OF 4 DIFFERENT BACTERIA AND A BLUE-GREEN ALGA

Intact procaryotic cells, incubated in the presence of puromycin and labelled methionine, synthesize N-formyl-methionyl-puromycin. This has been demonstrated with Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus lysodeikticus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and with the blue-green alga Anacystis nidulans. The yield of N-formyl-methionyl-puromycin increases with the concentration of puromycin in the medium and is lowered by choramphenicol. According to present evidence this represents a simple in vivo test for chain initiators of protein biosynthesis. Possible applications of this approach are discussed. © 1968.