Serum has a differential effect on DNA replication in a human melanoma cell line cultured in methionine or 5'-deoxy-5'-methylthioadenosine.

A human melanoma cell line called MeWo-LC1 exhibits a reduced ability to synthesize DNA when cultured in serum-supplemented medium containing 5'-deoxy-5'-methylthioadenosine (MeSAdo) in place of methionine. However, DNA replication in these cells occurs normally if the cells are cultured in serum-free medium containing transferrin, and MeSAdo in place of methionine. Although the presence of serum alters the cells' ability to respond to MeSAdo, it is not likely a consequence of any increased extracellular metabolism by MeSAdo-phosphorylase or adenosine deaminase activity, or due to the diminished uptake of the nucleoside. In the presence of methionine, MeSAdo appears to have a stronger cytostatic effect in medium containing serum than in serum-free medium supplemented with transferrin. MeWo-LC1 cells contain MeSAdo-phosphorylase activity as measured both in vivo and in vitro. The diminished replication of DNA in medium containing serum and MeSAdo is likely not due to the inhibition of polyamine synthesis by the nucleoside. These results indicate that serum (factors) can have an important influence upon the ability of MeSAdo to act as a methio-source for cells cultured in the absence of methionine.