ON THE MODE OF ACTION OF CRYOMYCIN

Abstract

The mode of action of cryomycin upon Staphylococcus aureus IFO 3061 and Bacillus subtilis IFO 3037 has been investigated. Cryomycin inhibited the syntheses of protein, RNA and DNA to almost the same degree. It caused a rapid increase of endogenous and exogenous respiration in the test organisms at minimum growth inhibitory concentrations. It was concluded that the primary effect of cryomycin was on the coupling of oxidative phosphorylation followed by secondary effects such as membrane damage, and protein and nucleic acid syntheses. Cryomycin also caused the leakage of A_260mμ, absorbing materials from most of the Bacillus species.