Secondary effects of streptomycin and kanamycin on macromolecular composition of Escherichia coli B23 cell

Abstract

Streptomycin and kanamycin are members of the aminoglycoside antibiotic family, which are recognized as protein inhibitors. It has been previously reported that the presence of these antibiotics increased protein/carbohydrate concentrations in Escherichia coli B23 cells. However, this observation of increased protein concentrations would be inconsistent with the particular functions of the antibiotic treatments. Therefore, this study investigates the possibility of secondary effects of streptomycin and kanamycin on carbohydrate production. E. coli B23 cultures were treated with streptomycin and kanamycin and then incubated for an hour. In comparison to the control, streptomycin and kanamycin cultures both increased in total carbohydrate concentrations and decreased in protein concentration. Furthermore, this investigation attempted to identify possible carbohydrates affected by these antibiotics. Although 6-deoxyhexose and heptose concentrations decreased in the presence of streptomycin and kanmycin, hexose concentrations appeared to increase.