Effects of aldehydes and alcohols on protein synthesis in the dinoflagellate, Gonyaulax polyedra: relation to phase-shifting potency in the circadian oscillation.

In Gonyaulax polyedra, protein synthesis was measured in vivo and in an in vitro translating system. Aldehydes applied in concentrations by which the circadian oscillator is phase-shifted inhibited protein synthesis considerably, both in vivo and in vitro. The efficiency of the drugs decreased with increasing chain length. Alcohols, though given in much higher concentrations, showed only weak effects. Therefore, the phase-shifting potency of aldehydes can be explained by a general mechanism influencing the circadian oscillator, namely through inhibition of protein synthesis, whereas this is obviously not the case in alcohols.