Superinduction of ornithine decarboxylase by halogenated ribofuranosylbenzimidazoles

Abstract

1. 1. The effect of dichlororibofuranosylbenzimidazole (DiCl-RB), an inhibitor of hnRNA synthesis and casein kinase-2 activity, on ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) was investigated in a difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) resistant, ODC overproducing cell line. 2. 2. In cells growing in the absence of DFMO, DiCl-RB provoked a marked, but transient increase in ODC activity and immunoreactive ODC content. 3. 3. The ODC response to DiCl-RB was prevented by cycloheximide and was not due to stabilization of the enzyme. 4. 4. The dibromo derivative analogue (DiBr-RB) exerted similar effects on ODC, but was effective at lower concentrations. 5. 5. The halogenated ribofuranosylbenzimidazoles were ineffective in cells growing in the presence of DFMO and containing higher levels of ODC protein.