Influence of chloramphenicol on growth and respiration of soybean (Glycine max L.) suspension cultures

By addition of chloramphenicol (CAP) to the growth medium of green soybean (Glycine max L.) cells in batch culture, growth is inhibited and the activity of the cytochrome oxidase decreases to 60% of the value found in control cells. The presence of CAP induces an enhancement of the contribution of the alternative pathway to total respiration. This enlarged contribution results both from a higher capacity of the alternative pathway and from a greater part of this capacity being used. Also in mitochondria isolated from cells treated with CAP, a higher capacity of the alternative pathway has been found, while the part of this capacity which is really used is comparable with the values found in control cells.