In vitro effect of emetine and chloroquine on the macromolecular biosynthesis of murine thymus cells.
The in vitro effect of antiparasitic agents, emetine and chloroquine on the DNA, RNA and protein synthesis was studied in isolated murine thymocytes. Cytotoxic effect was observed at 10(-4) and 10(-3) M emetine concentrations causing 50% and 70% cell death, respectively. The toxic effect of emetine could be prevented when emetine was removed within 10 min of treatment. Inhibitory concentrations for DNA, RNA and protein biosynthesis were 10(-5), 5 x 10(-5) and 10(-8) M, respectively. The number of living cells decreased by 30 and 50% at 10(-4) and 10(-3) M chloroquine concentrations, respectively. Gradually decreasing rate of DNA synthesis was measured at increasing concentration of chloroquine between 10(-8) and 10(-3) while RNA and protein synthesis were effected at 5 x 10(-5) M concentration. These results indicate that protein biosynthesis is primarily affected by in vitro emetine and chloroquine treatment of murine thymocytes.
D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004640:Emetine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012313:RNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D012313:RNA; D002738:Chloroquine; D004247:DNA; D004640:Emetine