L-Histidinol inhibits specifically and reversibly protein and ribosomal RNA synthesis in mouse L cells.

The addition of the histidine analogue L-histidinol to mouse L cells in suspension culture results in an abrupt inhibition of protein and ribosomal RNA synthesis with relatively little effect on messenger RNA production. Messenger RNA synthesized in the presence of L-histidinol associates with ribosomal subunits to form initiation complexes whose ability to commence elongation appears impaired. As a result of this mode of action, L-histidinol treatment results in a dramatic reduction of polyribosomes and a concomitant accumulation of 80 S ribosomes. The inhibition of both protein and ribosomal RNA synthesis mediated by L-histidinol is rapidly reversed by the addition of L-histidine to treated cultures.