Effect of puromycin, cycloheximide and concanavalin a on in vitro synthesis of human reticulocyte membrane proteins

Abstract

1. The effect of puromycin, cycloheximide and concanavalin A (Con A) on in vitro synthesis of membrane proteins and haemoglobin, in the human reticulocyte, was investigated. 2. 2. Both puromycin and cycloheximide showed less inhibitory action against synthesis of membrane proteins than of haemoglobin. 3. 3. Addition of Con A at concentrations which agglutinate cells selectively stimulated membrane protein synthesis. 4. 4. Glucose and α-methylmannoside prevented the stimulatory effect of Con A. Dextran 500, at concentrations which cause similar cell agglutination as Con A, did not affect membrane protein synthesis. 5. 5. The stimulatory effects of Con A may be due to the clustering and hence the lateral mobility, of its surface receptors.