Effect of cyclic AMP on RNA and protein synthesis in Candida albicans

Abstract

Cyclic AMP (0.1 to 1 mM) inhibits RNA and protein synthesis in Candida albicans. In both cases there is a transient initial enhancement of the synthesis followed by inhibition. The inhibition of RNA and protein synthesis in cells in the presence of cAMP is not due to enhanced degradation. Furthermore, cAMP did not alter the rate of cellular uptake of uridine and amino acids from the medium. The cAMP-mediated changes were also observed in the case of N-acetylglucosamine kinase synthesis when the kinetics of accumulation of this inducible enzyme was followed. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that cAMP inhibited the overall synthesis of protein. The results suggest that the rate of RNA synthesis depends on the overall rate of protein synthesis.