Effects of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid on polyamine synthesis in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

It was found that 1 mM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate (2,4-D) inhibited DNA and protein synthesis in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. When the possible relationship of this phenomenon to the presence of polyamines in the culture medium was investigated, it was found that: (a) the pesticide inhibited ornithine decarboxylase activity; (b) when the concentration of polyamines present in cells treated with the pesticide was determined, the putrescine concentration did not change, and the spermine and spermidine concentration decreased; (c) the addition of spermidine and spermine to CHO cells grown in the presence of 2,4-D normalized DNA and protein synthesis. Putrescine did not have any effect.