EFFECT OF TUNICAMYCIN ON THE SYNTHESIS OF MACROMOLECULES IN CULTURES OF CHICK EMBRYO FIBROBLASTS INFECTED WITH NEWCASTLE DISEASE VIRUS

Abstract

The effect of tunicamycin on the synthesis of macromolecules in cultures of chick embryo fibroblasts was investigated by measuring the incorporation of radioactive percursors into acid-insoluble product after infection or mockinfection with Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Tunicamycin had slight or no effect on incorporation of uridine, thymidine and choline. Protein synthesis proceeded to some extent depending on concentrations of tunicamycin. Incorporation of glucosamine and glucose was greatly affected by the antibiotic at low concentrations. Mechanism of action of tunicamycin against NDV multiplication is discussed in relation to membrane synthesis.