Cell cycle specific fluctuations in adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate and polyamines of Chinese hamster cells.

Chinese hamster V79 cells were synchronized by mitotic selection, which resulted in approximately 95% synchrony. The adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate level was elevated within 3 hr (G1 phase) and reached a level 2-fold higher than in early G1 within 6 hr (early S phase). An increase in ornithine decarboxylase activity (6-ornithine carboxy-lyase, EC 4.1.1.17), the initial enzyme in the polyamine biosynthetic pathway, was detected within 4 hr and was maximal at 8 hr. Since about 20% of the cells were labeled with [3-H]thymidine at 4 hr, ornithine decarboxylase exhibits cell-cycle specific activity starting in late G1 and continuing through middle S phase. The activity of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (S-adenosyl-L-methionine carboxylase, EC 4.1.1.50) increased within 5 hr, i.e., early S phase. It is suggested on the basis of these data and other studies discussed herein that the increase in ornithine decarboxylase activity, which parallels closely the elevation in cyclic AMP, is an example of adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate-mediated protein synthesis.