Growth inhibition and induction of phenotypic alterations by l-histidinol in B16 mouse melanoma cells

Abstract

l-Histidinol, a histidine analog was recently shown to be an inducer of differentiation in the promyelocytic cell line HL-60. In the present study we show that l-histidinol inhibits the growth of B16 melanoma cells in vitro. Growth inhibition is accompanied by phenotypic alterations that include a marked increase in the activities of NADPH cytochrome c reductase and γ glutamyl transpeptidase, lipid accumulation and cell enlargement. These phenotypic alterations are similar to those induced by other chemical inducers of differentiation in melanoma cells.