Structural basis for the inhibition of protein biosynthesis: mode of action of tubulosine.

A structural model for the inhibition of protein biosynthesis was previously formulated on the basis of a topochemical analogy between the ipecac alkaloids and the glutarimide antibiotics. The structure of tubulosine satisfies the requirements of this model. The prediction that such a compound would exhibit amebicidal activity and act by selectively inhibiting the transfer reaction in protein biosynthesis is confirmed.