Transaminase inhibitors block glycolysis and G1 to S phase progression in chick embryo fibroblasts: reversal by alpha-keto acids.

Two transaminase inhibitors, aminooxyacetate and cycloserine, inhibited the initiation of insulin-stimulated DNA synthesis in chick embryo fibroblasts. This inhibition was overcome when pyruvate (4 mM), oxaloacetate (4 mM), or alpha-ketobutyrate (10 mM) was included in the culture medium with hormone and inhibitor. Aminooxyacetate also inhibited lactate production in insulin-treated cultures in the absence of added alpha-keto acid.