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An Anomalous Effect of Ethionine on Ribonucleic Acid Synthesis

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Abstract

BESIDES giving rise to liver tumours1, ethionine administration causes inhibition of protein synthesis1,2 and also, in common with actinomycin D and puromycin, can reduce the extra synthesis of certain enzymes occurring in liver under the influence of ‘inducing’ agents3. Actinomycin D is known to suppress the synthesis of ribonucleic acid (RNA) possibly including ‘messenger’ RNA, in vivo or in vitro, and puromycin likewise suppresses RNA synthesis at least when administered to partially hepatectomized rats4. A fall in the incorporation of labelled precursors into RNA has been briefly reported to occur in liver after acute treatment with ethionine in large dosage2,5, in accordance with the inhibiting effect on protein synthesis. Surprisingly, however, we have now encountered a converse effect on RNA synthesis in rats fed ethionine.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chester Beatty Research Institute, Institute of Cancer Research: Royal Cancer Hospital, Fulham Road, London, S.W.3

    M. K. TURNER & E. REID

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  1. M. K. TURNER
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  2. E. REID
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TURNER, M., REID, E. An Anomalous Effect of Ethionine on Ribonucleic Acid Synthesis. Nature 203, 1174–1175 (1964). https://doi.org/10.1038/2031174a0

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