DNA OF BROMODEOXYURIDINE–TREATED NEUROBLASTOMA CELLS

Abstract— Cells of an adrenergic clone M1 of the mouse neuroblastoma C 1300 show morphological differentiation when treated with BrdU (10⁻⁵ m ). The involvement in this phenomenon of an action of BrdU at the membrane level has been suggested (see References). Taking into account the alterations observed after addition of BrdU in culture cell lines it was interesting to investigate the incorporation of BrdU into DNA of neuroblastoma cells. Our results showed an active BrdU incorporation into the DNA of treated Ml cells (an average of 25% of all thymidine residues for the 10⁻⁵ m -BrdU concentration present in our experimental conditions). Thymidine substitution by BrdU did not occur randomly, indicating the existence of selective parts in the genome sensitive toward BrdU. In mitomycin–treated cells (at high doses) BrdU incorporation occurred significantly at a very low level when related to the total thymidines (2%). Our findings suggest that since DNA synthesis is not inhibited BrdU may act by being incorporated into DNA and thus altering gene expression in addition to a site of action on the cell membranes.