Abstract
The mechanism by which 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) inhibits cell differentiation is unresolved. The ability of deoxycytidine to reverse the inhibition of myogenesis produced by BrdU has been cited as evidence that the inhibition is not a direct result of the incorporation of BrdU into cellular DNA. In contrast to previous work, the present study demonstrates a direct correlation between the effects of deoxycytidine on myogenic cells and a reduction in the substitution of BrdU for thymidine in the DNA. Furthermore, the reversal occurs at the same degree of BrdU substitution (20–30%) as is required to inhibit myogenesis when cells are grown in BrdU alone or with deoxycytidine in a medium that prevents the conversion of deoxycytidine to thymidine. The effects of deoxycytidine thus do not support a mechanism of action of BrdU in myogenic cells independent of its effects on DNA.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature cited
Stockdale, F., Okazaki, K., Nameroff, M., and Holtzer, H. (1964).Science 146:533–535.
Abbott, J., and Holtzer, H. (1968).Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 59:1144–1151.
Silagi, S., and Bruce, S.A. (1970).Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 66:72–78.
Miura, Y., and Wilt, F.H. (1971).J. Cell Biol. 48:523–532.
Turkington, R.W., Majumeder, G.C., and Riddle, M. (1971).J. Biol. Chem. 246:1814–1819.
Rutter, W.J., Pictet, R.L., and Morris, P.W. (1973).Annu. Rev. Biochem. 42:601–646.
Bick, M. (1977).Biochem. Biophys. Acta 476:279–286.
Meuth, M., and Green, H. (1974).Cell 2:109–112.
Davidson, R.L., and Reff, M.E. (1979).J. Biol. Chem. 254:6869–6872.
Jacob, F., and Schubert, O. (1970).Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 67:247–254.
Satoh, C., Kreider, J.W., Banks, J., Garlick, S., and Davidson, E.A. (1975).Cancer Res. 35:2532–2539.
Tsuboi, A., and Baserga, R. (1973).Cancer Res. 33:1326–1330.
Evans, I., DiStefano, P., Case, K.R., and Bosman, H.B. (1977).FEBS Lett. 78:109–112.
Rosenthal, S.L., Parola, A.H., Blout, E.R., and Davidson, R.L. (1978).Exp. Cell Res. 112:419–429.
Lough, J., and Bischoff, R. 1976.Dev. Biol. 50:457–475.
Rogers, J., Ng, S.K., Coulter, M.B., and Sanwal, B.D. (1975).Nature 256:438–440.
Yaffe, D. (1968).Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 61:477–483.
Mandel, J.-L., and Pearson, M.L. (1974).Nature 251:618–620.
Lieberman, M.W., and Dipple, A. (1972).Cancer Res. 32:1885–1860.
Rownd, R. (1967).Biochem. Biophys. Acta 134:464–467.
Kaufman, E.R., and Davidson, R.L. (1979).Somat. Cell Genet. 5:653–663.
Ashman, C.R., and Davidson, R.L. (1980).J. Cell Physiol. 102:45–50.
Davidson, R.L., and Kaufman, E.R. (1977).Cell 12:923–929.
Cullen, B.R., and Bick, M.D. (1978).Biochim. Biophys. Acta 517:158–168.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wright, W.E. The BrdU content of DNA is decreased during reversal of inhibition of myogenesis by deoxycytidine. Somat Cell Mol Genet 8, 547–555 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01542850
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01542850