Effects of cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor, on mouse brain catecholamine biochemistry.

Cycloheximide (CXM), a protein synthesis inhibitor, has been shown to result in a marked inhibition of central catecholamine (CA) synthetic mechanisms at doses that cause amnesia in animals. Unlike other inhibitors of CA synthesis no significant depletion of whole brain NE or DA concentrations was observed 0.75, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 17, or 24 hours after administration of CXM (120 mg/kg) to C57BL/6J mice. In order to investigate the underlying basis of maintenance of CA levels in face of CA synthesis inhibition, the effects of CXM on in vitro release of 3H-NE was studied in mouse hypothalamic slices. CXM, in a dose related manner, significantly inhibited the potassium stimulated release of NE from hypothalamic slices. Anisomycin, another protein synthesis inhibitor, similarly inhibited NE release. These studies further document the effects of protein synthesis inhibitors on CA mechanisms and suggest that disruption of CA biochemistry may play a role in the amnesia observed after administration of protein synthesis inhibitors.