CELL-CYCLE DEPENDENT TOXICITY OF AN AMPHIPHILIC SYNTHETIC PEPTIDE

The cytotoxic properties of an amphiphilic synthetic peptide are prese nted, Comparative analysis of proliferating, differentiated and conflu ent H9C2 adherent cells and L1210 cells in suspension shows a correlat ion between toxicity and cell stage (proliferating cells). Electrophys iological measurements on Xenopus laevis oocytes bathed in the peptide also demonstrated the induction of cationic currents, which is voltag e and phosphate dependent, These results allow us to hypothesize that the observed toxicity is related to membrane hyperpolarization of prol iferating cells at the G1/S cell cycle phase transition. (C) 1997 Fede ration of European Biochemical Societies.