Cultured HeLa cells were treated with chemicals that affect or bind to the cell membrane (ouabain, amphotericin B and Concanavalin A) or with chemicals related to the membrane function (cyclic nucleotides).Divisions in treated cells were subsequently observed in the living state. Ouabain, at concentrations greater than 10
-8M, significantly prolonged metaphase in treated cells. Excess potassium partially reversed the metaphaseprolonging effect of 10
-7M ouabain but little affected the prolongation caused by 10
-6M. Amphotericin B, at 10 μg per ml, also prolonged metaphase. Concanavalin A (Con A), up to 100 μg per ml, did not affect significantly mitosis. One mM N
6, 0
2'-dibutyryl adenosine-3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate (DBcAMP) did not affect mitosis in treated cells but arrested cells in the G
2 phase of the cell cycle. In the presence of theophylline 1 mM DBcAMP caused a slight but significant prolongation of metaphase, but theophylline alone effected this prolongation to the same degree. In contrast, 1 mM N
6, 0
2'dibutyryl guanosine-3', 5'-monophosphate (DBcGMP), with or without added theophylline, significantly prolonged metaphase.
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