Effects of metabolic inhibitors on the calcification of a freshwater green alga Gloeotaenium loitlesbergarianum Hansgirg. 2. Effects of some inhibitors of protein synthesis

The effects of five inhibitors of protein synthesis, viz. streptomycin, aurin tricarboxylic acid, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and cycloheximide, on the calcification of Gloeotaenium loitlesbergarianum Hansgirg, a freshwater green alga were studied. Streptomycin had no effect while aurin tricarboxylic acid at 50 μg ml−1 and tetracyline, chloramphenicol and cycloheximide at 20 μg ml−1 completely inhibited calcification in the alga. High concentrations of chloramphenicol and cycloheximide were not completely inhibitory when added 26 h and 32 h respectively after the material was incubated in the induction medium. It is concluded that the effects by these substrates are the results of inhibition of protein synthesis, which is directly or indirectly linked to calcification.