MODE OF ACTION OF CHLORAMPHENICOL II

Abstract
The L(+)erythro stereoisomer of chloramphenicol inhibits formation of D(-)glutamic acid polypeptide by Bacillus subtilis without affecting the growth of this organism. Chloramphenicol (the D(-)threo isomer), which is known to inhibit bacterial protein synthesis from amino acids of the L-series, has no influence on D(-)glutamyl polypeptide formation but suppresses growth of B. subtilis. Both substances may exert analogous actions which in turn appear to depend upon antipodal steric configurations of the inhibitors and the substances whose formation is inhibited.