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The Action of Mercaptoethanol on Cell Division in Synchronized Tetrahymena 1
Author(s) -
KUZMICH MICHAEL J.,
ZIMMERMAN ARTHUR M.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
the journal of protozoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.067
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1550-7408
pISSN - 0022-3921
DOI - 10.1111/j.1550-7408.1972.tb03426.x
Subject(s) - tetrahymena , cell division , dna synthesis , protein biosynthesis , macromolecule , dna , thymidine , biochemistry , mode of action , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , cell , uridine , biophysics , rna , chemistry , gene
SYNOPSIS. Action of mercaptoethanol (ME) on cell division and macromolecular synthesis was examined in Tetrahymena synchronized for division. Cells continuously exposed to increasingly higher concentrations of ME divided with progressively longer division delays showing a dosage‐dependent response to the agent. Division was blocked in 2 × 10 −2 M ME. Many cells cytolyzed in high concentrations of ME (4 × 10 −2 M); others became spherical and motility decreased. Non‐delaying concentrations of ME (2 × 10 −2 M) had little or no effect on protein synthesis but decreased DNA and RNA synthesis 10 and 35%, respectively. Blocking concentrations inhibited incorporation of phenylalanine, thymidine and uridine 35, 60, and 85%, respectively. It is suggested that the mode of action of ME is mediated thru inhibition of macromolecular synthesis essential for cell division and thru inhibition of formation of disulfide bridges between protein subunits.