Effect of Actinomycin D on in vivo Purine Biosynthesis in Hamster Cells

Abstract

In the course of studying the possible induction of enzymes associated with purine biosynthesis in the Chinese Hamster Cell line, V79, we wished to ascertain whether any newly synthesized short-lived mRNA species, or proteins were required for regulation of the de novo pathway. This was done by measuring in vivo purine biosynthesis in the presence of an inhibitor of RNA synthesis (Actinomycin D), and inhibitors of protein synthesis (cycloheximide and puromycin). Although we could not, at this stage, find evidence of a need for new mRNA or proteins, a direct effect of both actinomycin D and puromycin on de novo purine biosynthesis was noted.