Characterization of a G1 inhibitor from old JB-1 ascites tumor fluid. Interaction with polyions and ion exchangers.

In most experimental ascites tumors the growth rate decreases with increasing age and cell number. This decrease is caused by a prolongation of the cell cycle and an increasing accumulation of noncycling cells in resting (or quiescent) G1 and G2 compartments. In cell-free ascitic fluid from the JB-1 ascites tumor in the plateau phase of growth, low molecular weight substances have been found which reversibly and specifically arrest JB-1 cells in G1 and G2. In order to characterize the JB-1 G1 inhibitor we have investigated the effect of ion exchangers and polyions on the activity of this inhibitor assayed in vitro by means of a partially synchronized JB-1 cell population analyzed by flow microfluorometry. The results indicate that polyanions and cation exchangers (immobilized polyanions) bind and abolish the G1-inhibitory activity. From this it is suggested that the G1 inhibitor is of a basic or polycationic nature. Since anion exchangers (immobilized polycations) are without effect on this activity it was surprising to find that polycations also neutralize the activity. The results indicate that this occurs by blocking an anionic G2-inhibitor receptor on the cell, thus preventing the polycationic G1 inhibitor from being bound to this receptor.