Abstract
Valinomycin blocks protein synthesis at the elongation stage in intact reticulocyte while being without action on a cell free system. We demonstrate here that this membrane mediated inhibition is accompanied by a change of the energy charge (ATP/ADP/AMP ratio) of the cells. There seems to be an accumulation of AMP without a proportional gain in ADP. The change in energy charge in itself can be the cause of the inhibition of protein synthesis. We show also that valinomycin can cause a decrease of the energy charge at concentrations where its action as an ionophore is not seen and independent of a possible activation of the Na-K dependent ATPase.

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