Fatty acid synthesis in Escherichia coli is indirectly inhibited by phenethyl alcohol

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Abstract
The inhibition of phospholipid synthesis in E. coli by phenethyl alcohol was studied. At a nonbacteriostatic concentration the drug reduces the rate of de novo fatty acid and phospholipid synthesis by 60-70%. The inhibition of fatty acid synthesis was a secondary consequence of the inhibition of phospholipid synthesis. Phenethyl alcohol reduces the rate of incorporation of exogenous fatty acids into the phospholipids of a fatty acid auxotroph by 60%. Apparently, this drug controls phospholipid synthesis beyond the level of fatty acid synthesis. Phenethyl alcohol inhibits the synthesis of phospholipids containing saturated fatty acids to a greater extent than it does the synthesis of phospholipids containing unsaturated fatty acids. It controls the synthesis of phospholipids containing saturated fatty acids at both the level of fatty acid synthesis and the level of incorporation of the saturated fatty acids into phospholipids. The synthesis of phospholipids containing unsaturated fatty acids is inhibited at the level of incorporation of the fatty acids into phospholipids.