Effect of mitomycin C on specific gene transcript levels in cultured mammalian cells

Abstract

The effect of mitomycin C on the accumulation of specific mRNAs was studied in asynchronously growing Swiss 3T3 cells, as well as in synchronously growing serum stimulated ts13 cells (a temperature-sensitive mutant from the BHK cell line).It was observed that the steady-state level of p53 RNA experienced some increase in 3T3 cells treated for 24 h with the drug.In addition, mitomycin when applied to serum stimulated ts13 cells increased the level of p2F1 RNA.Mitomycin diminished the level of core histone H3 RNA, a finding consistent with the inhibitory action of this compound on DNA replication.