A researcher is studying transcription and has added a chemical to a transcription experiment using both E. coli and mammalian cells. This chemical inhibits both systems. The chemical is most likely
A) streptomycin.
B) rifamycin.
C) erythromycin.
D) rifampin.
E) actinomycin D.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Actinomycin D is a well-known inhibitor of transcription that can affect both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. Therefore, it is the most likely chemical to inhibit both E. coli and mammalian cell transcription in the experiment described. Streptomycin and erythromycin are antibiotics that affect translation, while rifampin and rifamycin are antibiotics that target bacterial RNA polymerase, and therefore would not be effective in mammalian cells.

A Researcher Is Studying Transcription and Has Added a Chemical