Effect of indomethacin on cell cycle dependent cyclic AMP fluxes in tobacco BY‐2 cells

Abstract

The evolution of adenosine 3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) levels was investigated in synchronised tobacco BY‐2 cells by virtue of a method based on immunoaffinity purification and analysis on electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. A transient peak in cAMP content was observed during the S and G 1 phases of the cell cycle. Application of the prostaglandin inhibiting drug indomethacin at early S phase resulted in the loss of the cAMP peak in S phase and inhibited mitotic division. This inhibition of cAMP accumulation suggests the presence of a prostaglandin‐dependent adenylyl cyclase activity, analogous to animal cyclases. A potential role for cAMP during the plant cell cycle is postulated.