Protein synthesis inhibition is not a requisite for puromycin- and cycloheximide-induced c-myc mRNA superinduction.

The phenomenon of superinduction refers to the process by which high doses (30-180 microM) of the protein synthesis inhibitors Puromycin (PM) or Cycloheximide (CHX) augment and stabilize mRNA transcript levels through mechanisms which are dependent on the complete inhibition of protein synthesis. The current study undertaken in HL-60 leukaemic cells has dissociated the protein synthesis-inhibitory effects of PM and CHX from their c-myc mRNA superinducing effects. When employed at concentrations which were sub-inhibitory with respect to protein synthesis (0.2 microM), PM and CHX nevertheless elicited the phenomenon of superinduction, possibly through mechanisms related to intracellular signalling.