Table 1.

Properties of protein synthesis inhibitors

Translation inhibitor Reversibility Mechanism of action Effect on ribosome Reference 
CHX Reversible Binds E site, 60S ribosome subunit Blocks translocation during elongation; stabilizes polysomes Schneider-Poetsch et al., 2010  
Emetine Irreversible Binds 40S ribosome subunit Freezes translation during elongation; stabilizes polysomes Jiménez et al., 1977  
Anisomycin Reversible Binds A site, 60S ribosome subunit; competes with PMY Blocks peptidyl transferase activity; stabilizes polysomes Hansen et al., 2003  
Pactamycin Reversible Binds 40S ribosome subunit in initiation complex Blocks initiation step of translation; inhibits polysome formation Kappen et al., 1973  
Sodium arsenite Reversible Oxidative stressor induces eIF2a phosphorylation Induces stress granule; inhibits polysome formation Kedersha et al., 2002  
Harringtonine Partially reversible Prevents peptide bond formation at the initiation complex Blocks initiation step of translation; inhibits polysome formation Fresno et al., 1977  
Translation inhibitor Reversibility Mechanism of action Effect on ribosome Reference 
CHX Reversible Binds E site, 60S ribosome subunit Blocks translocation during elongation; stabilizes polysomes Schneider-Poetsch et al., 2010  
Emetine Irreversible Binds 40S ribosome subunit Freezes translation during elongation; stabilizes polysomes Jiménez et al., 1977  
Anisomycin Reversible Binds A site, 60S ribosome subunit; competes with PMY Blocks peptidyl transferase activity; stabilizes polysomes Hansen et al., 2003  
Pactamycin Reversible Binds 40S ribosome subunit in initiation complex Blocks initiation step of translation; inhibits polysome formation Kappen et al., 1973  
Sodium arsenite Reversible Oxidative stressor induces eIF2a phosphorylation Induces stress granule; inhibits polysome formation Kedersha et al., 2002  
Harringtonine Partially reversible Prevents peptide bond formation at the initiation complex Blocks initiation step of translation; inhibits polysome formation Fresno et al., 1977  

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