Chinese hamster cells can be reversibly blocked before mitosis with the protein synthesis inhibitor, emetine.

The inhibition of protein synthesis in eukaryotic cells will prevent them from entering mitosis. Emetine inhibits peptide elongation. When it was added to asynchronous populations of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, the mitotic index decreased sharply 30 to 40 min later. It was found that the inhibitory effect of emetine could be reversed when it was removed and the reversibility was dependent on both the initial concentration of emetine and the pH of the medium. Cell populations that were blocked by emetine for up to 2h showed a four- to fivefold increase in mitotic index approximately 1 h after the emetine was removed. These results indicate that there is a point or period in G2 phase at which critical 'mitotic proteins' are being synthesized, and if their synthesis is interrupted cells will fail to enter mitosis.