The Effect of certain Enzyme Inhibitors on Respiration and on Penicillin Formation by Penicillium chrysogenum

Abstract

Washed penicillin-producing mycelium were suspended in medium of known composition in Warburg flasks, and the O2 uptake and penicillin production were measured in the presence of various enzyme inhibitors. Both were inhibited by phenol or HgCl2. Sodium fluoride or sodium bisulfite inhibited penicillin production, but had little effect on respiration. Malonate was without effect. Concentrations of 2:4-Dinitrophenol which had only a slight effect on respiration prevented penicillin production. Penicillin production, unlike respiration, was extremely sensitive to cyanide, and it is suggested that a cyanide-sensitive enzyme, possibly containing Fe or Cu, is involved in the biosynthesis of the penicillin molecule.