Reversal of ethionine-induced growth inhibition of Escherichia coli by adenosine triphosphate

Ethionine-induced inhibition of growth of E. coli has been measured. In the presence of 10 mMl-ethionine this inhibition amounts to about 55% and is readily reversed by methionine. ATP (7.5–10 mM) also reverses the ethionine-induced inhibition of growth.It has been shown previously that ATP counteracts ethionine-induced inhibition of growth in animals and plants. ATP as well as l-methionine has now been found to reverse the ethionine-induced growth inhibition of E. coli.