In vivo effect of the tetrapeptide, N-acetyl-Ser-Asp-Lys-Pro, on the G1-S transition of rat hepatocytes.

The synthetic molecule N-Acetyl-Ser-Asp-Lys-Pro (Ac-SDKP), corresponding to the low molecular weight inhibitory factor preventing in vivo haematopoietic stem cell (CFU-S) entry into DNA synthesis, was tested in two heterologous systems in vivo: adult regenerating rat liver and 10-day-old rat hepatocytes synchronized by an irritating trigger. In both systems, it was shown that doses of 2-8 micrograms kg-1 of tetrapeptide inhibited 50-70% of the hepatocyte G1-S transitions.