ACTION OF DIHYDROSTREPTOMYCIN AND ANTAGONISM BY CATIONS

Abstract

Bragg, P. D. (University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada) and W. J. Polglase. Action of dihydrostreptomycin and antagonism by cations. J. Bacteriol. 85:590-594. 1963.-A number of antibiotics including dihydrostreptomycin inhibited the induction of beta-galactosidase in Escherichia coli and, except in the case of chloramphenicol, magnesium antagonized the inhibition. Of the antibiotics tested, only dihydrostreptomycin caused formation of pyruvate from the oxidation of glucose. Under similar conditions, inhibitors of terminal respiration (cyanide, azide, amobarbital) also caused formation of pyruvate. Magnesium and the polyamines, putrescine and spermidine, were observed to antagonize dihydrostreptomycin in systems in which the antibiotic showed an inhibitory action.