The effects of antimicrobial agents on deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Actinomycin-D inhibits deoxyribonucleic-acid polymerase of Escherichia coli at relatively high concentration, whereas the phen-anthridine drug (ethidium bromide) is a powerful inhibitor at growth-limiting concentrations. The absorption spectrum of ethidium bromide shows a marked shift on mixing with DNA (showing complex-formation) although it is not known whether the inhibitory effect of the drug is related to this capability. Neither ethidium bromide nor actinomycin-D causes irreversible destruction of DNA primer. The trypanocidal drug (Antrycide) inhibits DNA synthesis, but this is probably due to simple physical removal of DNA primer by precipitation. Other antibiotics tested had no significant effect on the enzyme system.