Effects of structural changes in s-dichlorovinyl-l-cysteine on its inhibition of Escherichia coli B

Inasmuch as Escherichia coli B is highly susceptible to inhibition of growth and induction of unbalanced growth by the l-isomer of S-1,2-dichlorovinyl-l-cysteine role=presentation style=font-size: 90%; display: inline-block; position: relative;>$\text{S-1,2-}\text{dichlorovinyl}\text{-}\text{l}\text{-}\text{cysteine}$$\text{S-1,2-}\text{dichlorovinyl}\text{-}\text{l}\text{-}\text{cysteine}$. compounds structurally related to DCVC were synthesized and their effects on E. coli B were tested. d-Configuration, removal of the carboxyl group or the amino group, acylation of the amino group or insertion of a 4-methylene group all decreased greatly the growth-inhibiting effects of the DCVC analogues. The results are in accord with the view that DCVC is subject to enzymatic cleavage into several fragments, one of which is mainly responsible for the toxic effects of DCVC. The structural features of DCVC required to induced aplastic anemia in calves are compared with those referred to above.