Cycloheximide

Cycloheximide is a glutarimide antibiotic derived from a microbial source. Cycloheximide is an antibiotic which is very active against many molds, yeasts, and phytopathogenic fungi. It exhibits somewhat lower activity against bacteria and certain fungi. Control of various molds and fungi in gelatin-based photographic emulsions, photoengraving glues, and other light-sensitive products is suggested.

Cycloheximide is used in plant research to study disease resistance and as an ethylene stimulant, useful in studies involving fruit and leaf production. It is also used in bacteriological media to isolate or count bacteria in the presence of yeast and molds; Used in protein synthesis in apoptosis; Gene expression; Glycogenolysis, gluconeogenesis and ureogenesis in isolated rat hepatocytes; Studies involving steroidogenesis; Used in plant regulation and as a quality control measure by the food and beverage industry.

Cycloheximide (CHX) is an antibiotic produced by S. griseus. Its main biological activity is translation inhibition in eukaryotes resulting in cell growth arrest and cell death. CHX is widely used for selection of CHX-resistant strains of yeast and fungi, controlled inhibition of protein synthesis for detection of short-lived proteins and super-induction of protein expression, and apoptosis induction or facilitation of apoptosis induction by death receptors. Cycloheximide inhibits peptide synthesis in eukaryotic organisms but not in prokaryotes. Protein synthesis is blocked by the interaction of cycloheximide with the translocase enzyme. This interaction prohibits the translocation of messenger RNA on the cytosolic, 80S ribosomes without inhibiting organelle protein synthesis. Cycloheximide is also known to induce FAS/FAS Ligand apoptosis, and triggers apoptosis in HL-60 cells, T-cell hybridomas, Burkitt's lymphoma cells in addition to a variety of other cell types. Cycloheximide will also delay or inhibit apoptosis induced by other agents.