Effect of corticosteroid on protein and nucleic acid synthesis in human glial tumor cells.

Abstract

Summary The biochemical effects of 6-α-methylprednisolone-21-succinate, a synthetic corticosteroid hormone, were further investigated on a long-term culture of human glioma cells. Following treatment with this corticosteroid, cellular mitosis was suppressed within 24 hr in proportion to the dose and duration of exposure. Incorporation of tritiated thymidine into glial tumor cells was inhibited over 60% after a 2-hr exposure to the drug; however, less effect on uridine (25% inhibition) and leucine (5% inhibition) incorporation was observed. The primary site of action of this corticosteroid might involve the inhibition of DNA synthesis.