Protein and glycoprotein synthesis in rat liver mitochondria and rat intraneural mitochondria and protein synthesis in rat liver microsomes in the presence of l-canavanine

Abstract

The effects of l-canavanine on protein and glycoprotein synthesis in rat liver and brain mitochondria and rat liver microsomes were studied. A 10 5 concentration range of canavanine was used. At 0.1 mg/ml, canavanine, in a medium containing an external energy source, inhibited all systems. Protein synthesis was inhibited in both mitochondrial systems; but while glycoprotein synthesis was also inhibited in the same systems, it was not inhibited to the same degree. Contrary to the postulated mechanism of action of canavanine, microsomal protein synthesis was inhibited over the entire concentration range studied.