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Stimulation of the differential rate of β-galactosidase synthesis in E. coli by trimethoprim

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Summary

It was found that partial inhibition of peptide chain initiation by trimethoprim causes a significant increase in the differential rate of β-galactosidase in cultures of E. coli growing in the presence of suboptimal concentrations of a galactoside inducer. This stimulation is not produced by inhibitors of peptide chain growth, such as chloramphenicol and puromycin. Trimethoprim, furthermore, does not cause a significant increase in the differential rate of β-galactosidase synthesis in E. coli cultures (a) of i + genotype which are fully induced, (b) of fully constitutive i - genotype, (c) of partially constitutive o c genotype, or (d) of noninducible i s genotype. These findings are compatible with the idea that the differential rate of β-galactosidase synthesis is regulated by means of an inducer-dependent growth period of a “regulatory” polypeptide.

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Lacroute, F., Stent, G. Stimulation of the differential rate of β-galactosidase synthesis in E. coli by trimethoprim. Molec. Gen. Genet. 101, 368–375 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00436233

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00436233

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