Acidification of the interior of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells by nigericin inhibits DNA synthesis.
In Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells, acidification of the cytoplasm down to pH 6.2-6.3 arrests DNA synthesis. Such acidification can be obtained by decreasing the pH outside the cell or, alternatively, by addition of a micromolar concentration of the K+/H+ antiporter nigericin. Thus, nigericin may be regarded as a new type of cytostatic, the effect of which is mediated by alteration of the intracellular pH.
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002286:Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor / Q000503:physiopathology; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000502:physiology; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D051379:Mice; D009550:Nigericin / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004247:DNA; D009550:Nigericin