Purine nucleotides stimulate DNA synthesis in kidney epithelial cells in culture.

Adenine nucleotides infused into animals with acute renal failure appear to enhance recovery of kidney function and structure. To determine whether these compounds could act by a direct effect on renal cell metabolism, their capacity to stimulate DNA synthesis was evaluated in cultures of monkey kidney epithelial cells (BSC-1 line). AMP and ADP enhanced DNA synthesis by threefold more than was previously observed with other mitogens for these cells. Guanosine and inosine and their nucleotides and adenosine and ATP were also mitogenic but to a lesser extent, whereas pyrimidine derivatives were ineffective. In the presence of AMP, autoradiography of [3H]thymidine-labeled cells indicated that a greater number of cells entered the S phase of the cell cycle, and assessment of cell number revealed increased multiplication. The mitogenic effect of adenine nucleotides was not reproduced by agents that raise the cellular content of cAMP and was serum independent. Adenine nucleotides did not alter DNA synthesis when added to cultures of mouse fibroblasts. These results indicate that provision of exogenous purine nucleosides and nucleotides stimulate DNA synthesis in renal epithelial cells in culture.