CDK-inhibitor olomoucine inhibits cell death after exposure of cell lines to cytosine-arabinoside

Signal transduction for apoptosis or programmed cell death, after DNA damag e in mammalian cells, is believed to involve activation of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), especially CDK-1 (cdc2) and CDK-2. We used CDK-inhibitor o lomoucine, a purine analogue to evaluate the role CDK inhibition on cytosin e-arabinoside (Ara-C)-induced cell death. The two drugs showed an antagonis tic effect, suggesting that apoptosis after exposure to Ara-C is inhibited by olomoucine. DNA-electrophoresis showed a clear inhibition of the apoptot ic pattern when olomoucine was added to Ara-C. We conclude that CDK-inhibit or olomoucine inhibits tell death induced by Ara-C. (C) 1999 Published by E lsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.