THE ACTION OF STREPTOMYCIN I

Abstract

In resting cells of the sensitive bacterium Escherichia coli, streptomycin inhibits the oxalacetate-pyruvate condensation, a reaction which serves as an entrance to the terminal respiration system, the Krebs tricarboxylic acid cycle. Acetate of "active acetate** does not appear to be involved in the sensitive reaction. Under the exptl. conditions, about 30 min. contact between streptomycin and the cell suspension was required before the antibiotic was fully effective in preventing the condensation reaction, but thereafter even prolonged contact with water did not relieve the inhibition. Only those derivatives of streptomycin having antibiotic activity are effective inhibitors of the reaction.