Cell cycle-specific oncogenic transformation of C3H/10T1/2 clone 8 mouse embryo cells by 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine.

1-beta-Darabinofuranosylcytosine at concentrations ranging from 10(-3) to 10(-6) M induces oncogenic transformation in the C3H/10T1/2 clone 8 mouse embryo cell line. Cell lines derived from type III transformed foci grew in soft agarose and produced tumors in immunosuppressed syngeneic mice. With cells synchronized by postconfluent inhibition of growth or isoleucine deprivation, transformation was cell cycle dependent. Maximal transformation was seen in cells treated when in S phase, although some transformation was seen in cells treated in G1 phase of the cell cycle.