cycloheximide
Low (Specialist)Scientific/Technical
Definition
Meaning
An antibiotic and fungicide produced by bacteria of the genus Streptomyces, which inhibits protein synthesis in eukaryotic organisms.
A widely used laboratory tool in biochemistry and molecular biology to inhibit protein synthesis, primarily in yeast and other eukaryotes, for studying various cellular processes and stress responses. It is also employed in agriculture as a fungicide.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is specific to microbiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and plant pathology. Its meaning is highly technical and does not have non-specialist senses.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage exist. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
None beyond its technical definition.
Frequency
Frequency is equally low in both dialects, confined entirely to specialist contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The cells were treated with cycloheximide (Object of Preposition).Cycloheximide inhibits protein synthesis (Subject-Verb-Object).Adding cycloheximide to the culture (Gerund + Object).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Frequent in life sciences research papers, particularly in experimental methods sections.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Core term in laboratory protocols, pharmacology, and agricultural science for fungal control.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The yeast cultures were cycloheximide-treated for one hour.
- We need to cycloheximide-arrest the cells.
American English
- The researcher cycloheximide-treated the samples.
- The protocol involves cycloheximide-arresting the culture.
adjective
British English
- The cycloheximide-sensitive strain failed to grow.
- A cycloheximide-containing solution was prepared.
American English
- We observed a cycloheximide-dependent effect.
- The cycloheximide-resistant mutant was isolated.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Scientists use cycloheximide to study how cells make proteins.
- This fungicide contains cycloheximide to protect crops.
- To assess protein degradation rates, the experiment involved a cycloheximide chase assay.
- Cycloheximide's primary mechanism is the inhibition of peptidyl transferase on the 60S ribosomal subunit.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CYCList on a HEXagonal (six-sided) MIDE (meadow) roadblocking (inhibiting) a protein factory.
Conceptual Metaphor
A TRANSLATION BLOCKER (in molecular biology). A FACTORY SHUTDOWN SIGNAL (for protein production).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- "Циклогексимид" is a direct transliteration. Beware of confusing with similar-sounding chemical names like "циклогексан" (cyclohexane).
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling (e.g., 'cyclohexamide', 'cycloheximid').
- Incorrectly applying it to prokaryotic systems (it is specific to eukaryotes).
Practice
Quiz
In which organism type is cycloheximide primarily effective?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is generally toxic to human cells and is not used therapeutically. Its use is confined to laboratory research and, historically, as an agricultural fungicide.
Its main use is as a laboratory reagent to block new protein synthesis in eukaryotic cells, allowing researchers to study protein stability, turnover, and the effects of pre-existing proteins.
Both inhibit protein synthesis, but puromycin causes premature chain termination and works in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, while cycloheximide blocks translocation and is specific to eukaryotes.
No, bacteria (prokaryotes) are naturally resistant to cycloheximide because it targets the 60S ribosomal subunit, which is only present in eukaryotes.