Nuclear alterations in mammalian cells induced by L-canavanine.

Abstract

AbstractMammalian cells treated four hours with the L‐arginine analogue, L‐canavanine (Cana), develop alterations in nuclear architecture characterized by the formation of irregular aggregates of nucleoplasmic contents, frequently attached to the nuclear membrane. On the basis of previous studies showing that Cana is incorporated into nuclear proteins and inhibits DNA synthesis over similar periods of exposure, it is postulated that the formation of canavanyl protein‐DNA aggregates interfere with DNA replication.