The effect of glucosone on the proliferation and energy metabolism of in vitro grown Ehrlich ascites tumor cells.

1) Proliferation and energy metabolism of in vitro growth Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) cells in the presence of glucosone, (D-arabino-3.4.5.6-tetrahydroxy-2-oxo-hexanal) a competitive inhibitor of hexokinase, were studied. 2) Proliferation of the cells was completely inhibited by 2 mM glucosone without severely affecting viability (dye exclusion test). No phase specific arrest of cell growth was observed. 3) Incorporation of [14C]thymidine into an acid insoluble fraction of the cells decreases to 5% of the control within 8-10 h. Incorporation of [14C]leucine begins to slow down immediately after treatment with glucosone. 4) The inhibitor (2 mM) reduces the lactate production of the cells by 60%, respiration by about 20%; the ATP/ADP ratio slows down from 4.75 to 3.5. 5) The total inhibition of cell proliferation by 2 mM glucosone cannot be explained exclusively by inhibition of hexokinase activity and impairment of energy metabolism. Because of a lack of specificity, glucosone is not a suitable inhibitor for studies on the relationship between hexokinase activity and cell proliferation of tumor cells.