Puromycin N-acetyl transferase gene (pac), of which the gene product catalyzes antibiotic puromycin, an effective inhibitor of protein synthesis, has been widely used as a dominant selection marker in embryonic stem (ES) cell-mediated transgenesis.

It has been shown that cycloheximide (CHM), a well-known protein synthesis inhibitor, reduces Cytotoxicity induced by 1-B-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine, nitrogen mustard, or X-irradiation in normal cells, such as small intestine or bone marrow cells.

Blasticidin S is an antibiotic used by scientists in bio-research to select cells modified by genetic engineering. It inhibits the growth of a wide range of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells by interfering with protein synthesis. Blasticidin S allows the selection and maintenance of cells expressing the blasticidin-resistance gene.