Abstract
3′-deoxyadenosine, applied to meristematic populations, proves to be a drug which causes an accumulation of cells in the prophase. Analysing its effects, we find that cells in prophase continue to go through their chromosome cycle and thus that the specific effect of the drug is to block the rupture of the nuclear membrane, giving rise to a process of endomitosis in the cells treated. If the drug is applied to synchronous, labelled cells, analysis of its effects reveals that they occur at the prophase level, while the remaining stages of mitosis, if not arrested in the prophase, proceed normally.
The data here brought forward as to the effects of 3′-deoxyadenosine, like those relating to the effects of other drugs which block RNA synthesis at the prophase level, suggest that this stage in the cell division cycle is of great importance in the evolution of the mitotic process.
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Giménez-Martín, G., González-Fernández, A., De La Torre, C. et al. Partial initiation of endomitosis by 3′-deoxyadenosine. Chromosoma 33, 361–371 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00326498
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00326498