On growth regulation of the rat promyelocytic leukemia (BNML): growth inhibition and eradication of clonogenic cells by cholera toxin.

Our recent establishment of several permanent in-vitro cell lines from Brown Norway rat leukemia (BNML) and the development of a clonogenic assay prompted us to undertake detailed studies on the growth control mechanism of a cell type which for several years has served as an animal model for human AML and preclinical studies. So far, these cells have no defined biological regulators but require intricate cellular interactions to sustain their growth. The effects on cell growth and clonogenicity, of agents known to modify the intracellular levels of cyclic nucleotides, were analysed. Here we report that CT binding strongly inhibited cell growth at a wide range of concentrations (10(-6)-10(-14) M) while beta chain pentameric subunits or alpha chain had no effects. Cell growth was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. The ligand-receptor interactions mediated the alpha chain's transit through the membrane; the adenylate cyclase activation and the rise in c-AMP levels (60 min) resulted in DNA synthesis arrest (5 h), then finally ended in cell death (24-48 h). A significant decrease in the clonal ability of treated cultures was seen. A decrease of up to five logs in the clonogenic cell number was observed after 48 h of toxin treatment (10(-7) M). The growth inhibition of CT were reproduced by several agents (PGE, theophylline, isobutylmethylxanthine) known to raise intracellular c-AMP levels. Data are commented from a biochemical approach to intracellular events controlling the cell growth of this leukemia. The potential interests of c-AMP inducing agents on the eradication of this leukemia by ex-vivo marrow treatments are also considered.