Abstract
FROM the many theories concerning the mode of action of sulphonamides, one by Fildes1 has recently emerged which, because of the volume of evidence brought forth in its support, is now considered the most logical explanation of sulphonamide bacteriostasis. Fildes has suggested that inhibitors of microbial growth are effective as a result of interference with an “essential metabolite”, a substance which he denned as having an essential part in the chain of synthesis necessary for growth. Woods2 was able to show that p-aminobenzoic acid nullified the growth-inhibitory action of sulphanilamide for a number of bacteria. Studies in this laboratory3 have confirmed Woods's original observations. It was found that the in vitro bacteriostatic effect of sulphanilamide, sulphapyridine, and sulphathiazole on streptococci, pneumococci, and staphylococci respectively was neutralized by p-aminobenzoic acid. Dimond4 has recently reported similar growth-inhibition of the fungus Trichophyton purpureum by sulphanilamide and neutralization of this inhibition by p-amino-benzoic acid. The present report describes the application of Woods's findings to yeast growth and suggests the importance of p-aminobenzoic acid in yeast metabolism.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Fildes, Lancet, 1, 955 (1940).
Woods, Brit. J. Exp. Path., 21, 74 (1940).
Landy and Wyeno, Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. and Med., 46, 59 (1941).
Dimond, Science, 94, 420 (1941).
Snell, Eakin and Williams, J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 62, 175 (1940).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
LANDY, M., DICKEN, D. Neutralization of Sulphonamide Inhibition of Yeast Growth by p-Aminobenzoic Acid. Nature 149, 244 (1942). https://doi.org/10.1038/149244a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/149244a0
This article is cited by
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.