Cell cycle dependence of inositol phosphate levels in neuroblastoma cells.

To investigate the timing of inositol lipid turnover in relation to the cell cycle, inositol phosphates and lipids were measured in neuroblastoma (Neuro-2A) cells that were prelabeled with [3H]inositol and synchronized by a mitotic shakeoff technique. Distinct early and late phases of inositol phosphate production were identified. The early peak occurs between the 2nd and 4th hour after mitosis near the G1/S transition. A later peak occurs around the peak of S phase (DNA synthesis) at 7-8 h after mitosis. These findings suggest that activation of phosphatidylinositol turnover generates signals that play a role in cell cycle progression.