In a strain of E. coli resistant to isohydroxyurea (E. coli C600/isoHU), hydroxyurea inhibits protein synthesis preferentially. This is in contrast to the effects of hydroxyurea in all other systems studied including E. coli C600, in which hydroxyurea inhibits DNA synthesis selectively. A scheme is proposed to explain the metabolic conversions of hydroxyurea, isohydroxyurea, and hydroxyurethan. It is postulated that in E. coli C600/isoHU hydroxyurea can be converted to isohydroxyurea but that the reverse reaction is blocked.

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This is the tenth paper of a series dealing with the effects of hydroxyurea. Paper 9 dealt with the biologic effects of isohydroxyurea (15). This investigation was supported by Public Health Service research Grant CA-08374 from the National Cancer Institute. Support was also provided by contract Nonr 266 (89)-NR 136–574 between the Office of Naval Research, Department of the Navy, and Columbia University.

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©1969 American Association for Cancer Research.
1969
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