The effects of aflatoxin B1 on protein synthesis by cucumber cotyledon discs

Abstract

The effects of aflatoxin on amino acid uptake and incorporation into protein by discs of cucumber cotyledon tissue showed that incubation for relatively short periods with low concentrations of aflatoxin reduced the amount of 14C-leucine absorbed without affecting incorporation into protein; increasing incubation time or increasing aflatoxin concentration inhibited the incorporation of absorbed leucine into protein. The effects of aflatoxin and actinomycin D on leucine absorption and incorporation were compared in a time course study.The data are discussed in relation to the possible mode of action of aflatoxin in plant tissues.