ACTION OF AZASERINE ON ESCHERICHIA COLI

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Abstract
Azaserine has been found to markedly inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli. At submaximal levels, the antibiotic apparently inhibits the cell division mechanism; this results in the formation of filamentous forms of the microorganism. The aromatic amino acids were able to block partially the growth inhibitory action of the antibiotic but not its effect upon cell division. Azaserine was found to inhibit also toe synthesis of aminoimidazole carboxamide by nonproliferating cell suspensions of E. coli strain B-96. This inhibition was blocked not only by tyrosine and phenylalanine but by a number of halogenated phenylalanines and aromatic and heterocyclic acids. The results of this investigation may be interpreted by proposing that the penetration of the antibiotic through the cell membrane or the binding of the antibiotic by a cell wall component is prevented in some manner by the various naturally occuring aromatic amino acids as well as the related heterocyclic and aromatic acids.

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