The competitive effect of canavanine on utilization of arginine in growth of Walker carcinosarcoma 256 cells in vitro.

Abstract

Canavanine was found to be a competitive antagonist of the utilization of arginine by Walker carcinosarcoma 256 under tissue culture conditions, with an inhibition index of 1.2 for 50 per cent of maximum growth. The tumor cells failed to utilize either ornithine or citrulline in place of arginine. Carbon-14 studies have indicated that the inhibition rests in a general interference with the utilization of arginine. Some postulates have been made concerning the absence of certain enzyme activities in the Walker 256 cells.