Molecular Pharmacology, Vol 14, 1148-1155, Copyright © 1978 by the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics

The Effect of Inhibitors of Transcription and Translation on Chromosomal Proteins

¹ Department of Biochemistry, University of Freiburg, D-7800 Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Str. 7, Germany

After the administration of actinomycin D, -amanitin and D-galactosamine, the [³H]-leucine incorporation into total rat liver proteins and into nonhistone chromosomal proteins decreased to about 50% and 20% of controls, respectively. At a low dose of cycloheximide the [³H]leucine incorporation into nonhistone chromosomal proteins was unaffected, while the incorporation into total liver proteins was decreased to 35% of controls. The nonhistone chromosomal protein to DNA ratios changed to 94%, 78%, 149% and 66% of the controls after actinomycin D, -amanitin, cycloheximide and D-galactosamine, respectively. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed different changes in the nonhistone chromosomal protein patterns after the administration of actinomycin D, -amanitin, cycloheximide and D-galactosamine. The findings are discussed with respect to possible mechanisms involved in liver cell death.