Inhibition by Penicillamine of DNA and Protein Synthesis by Human Bone Marrow

Abstract

The sulfhydryl-containing amino acid penicillamine inhibited uptake of thymidine-3H, deoxyuridine-3H, and formate-14C into DNA of human bone marrow cells in vitro. Pencillamine inhibition of leucine-3H incorporation into protein was also inhibited; less inhibition of uridine-3H uptake into RNA was demonstrated. Significant inhibition was present with a concentration of penicillamine not much more than that presumed present in plasma of patients ingesting the drug. Penicillamine inhibition was not significantly affected by prior incubation of bone marrow cells with L-valine, iron, copper, zinc, pyridoxine, or pyridoxal phosphate.