cycloheximide

Cycloheximide is a naturally occurring antifungal antibiotic produced by the bacterium Streptomyces griseus. It acts as a potent inhibitor of protein synthesis in eukaryotic cells by interfering with the translocation step during translational elongation on ribosomes—specifically blocking movement of tRNA and mRNA relative to the ribosome. This results in rapid and reversible inhibition of eukaryotic protein synthesis; prokaryotes are not affected. Cycloheximide is widely used in biomedical research for studying protein turnover and stability but is not suitable for human therapeutic use due to significant toxicity (including DNA damage and teratogenicity). Historically used as an agricultural fungicide (notably for turf diseases and powdery mildew), its use has declined because of health risks. It has also been explored as an abscission agent in citrus fruits and olives[1][2][4][6][7].

Brand names

ActidioneNaramycin A

Other names

cycloheximide4-[2-(3,5-dimethyl-2-oxocyclohexyl)-2-hydroxyethyl]-2,6-piperidinedione