On the effect of inhibitors of transcription and translation on RNA and protein synthesis by isolated rat liver mitochondria

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Abstract

The effect of the in vivo administration of some inhibitors of transcription and translation processes on the capacity of isolated rat liver mitochondria to synthesize RNA and protein has been studied. The in vivo treatment with cycloheximide, anisomycin and emetine inhibits the vitro synthesis of RNA and proteins, demonstrating that both mitochondrial processes are dependent on cytoplasmic protein synthesis. Of the three inhibitors used only emetine at higher doses acts directly on the mitochondrial proteinsynthesizing machinery because of the inhibition exerted in vitro at the level of mitochondrial ribsomes. The in vitro synthesis of RNA and protein by isolated mitochondria is sensitive to rifamycin SV that, however, has no effect when given in vivo, probably because the antibiotic is unable to reach the mitochondrial RNA polymerase molecule. The adminstration of α-amanitin produces an inhibition only at the level of mitochondrial protein synthesis, suggesting that mitochondrial transcription and translation can be independently controlled by extramitochondrial activities. Comparison of effects on mitochondrial protein synthesis during the course of adminstration of cycloheximide and α-amanitin suggests that the effects of α-amanitin is accounted for through its action on cytoplasmic protein synthesis.

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