Phencyclidine and Analogues: Effects on Brain Protein Synthesis

Phencyclidine and four analogues were tested for their capacity to inhibit total protein synthesis in a brain homogenate. At 1.0 mM they were all found to be potent inhibitors with values ranging from 36% to 96% inhibition. At this high concentration two of the analogues were equal to or more effective than the classic protein synthesis inhibitors cycloheximide and emetine. At lower concentrations the inhibition dropped off sharply to 18% at 1.0 X 10(-4) M and 9% at 1.0 X 10(-5) M for phencyclidine. If the inhibition observed in the brain homogenate occurs in vivo it may account for the high incidence of memory loss reported with phencyclidine use.