title: Expression of the mitochondrial genome in HeLa cells. IX. Effect of inhibition of mitochondrial protein synthesis on mitochondrial formation.
abstract: The effect of selective inhibition of mitochondrial protein synthesis by chloramphenicol at 40 or 200 microg/ml on the formation of mitochondria in HeLa cells was investigated. HeLa cells, under the conditions used in the present work, grow at a decreasing rate for at least four cell generations in the presence of 40 microg/ml chloramphenicol, and for two generations in the presence of 200 microg/ml chloramphenicol. The progressive cell growth inhibition which begins after 2 days of exposure of the cells to 40 microg/ml chloramphenicol is immediately or gradually reversible, upon removal of the drug, for periods up to at least 8 days of treatment, though there is a progressive loss of cloning efficiency. In cells which have been treated for 6-7 days with 40 or 200 microg/ml of chloramphenicol, mitochondrial protein synthesis occurs at a normal or near-normal rate 1 h after removal of the drug. Mitochondria increase normally in number and show a normal size and amount of cristae in the presence of either concentration of drug. However, in 4-5% of the mitochondrial profiles the cristae appear to be arranged in unusual, circular, looped or whorled configuration.
mesh_terms: D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002701:Chloramphenicol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006367:HeLa Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007930:Leucine / Q000378:metabolism; D008722:Methods; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013997:Time Factors; D014316:Tritium
chemical_list: D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D014316:Tritium; D002701:Chloramphenicol; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV; D007930:Leucine