Tissue culture studies. V. Analogues for nicotinic acid.

The use of acetyl-3-pyridine and pyridine-3-sulfonic acid as analogues for nicotinic acid has been tested with tissue cultures of embryonic chick heart. Both roller tube and Carrel flask cultures were employed. Cell migration, appearance of the cells, and the uptake of tracer P(32) were used as criteria for the action of the analogues. Migration of the cells could be inhibited by both compounds, but at different levels. Both produced abnormal types of cells, but not the same type of abnormality. Uptake of P(32) was inhibited by both compounds. Addition of nicotinic acid failed to reverse the effects of the analogues at the concentrations used.