A variety of studies have suggested that K+ channel activity is a key determinant for cell progression through the G1 phase of mitosis. We have previously proposed that K+ channels control the activity of cell cycle-regulating proteins via regulation of cell volume. In order to test this hypothesis, we measured, with a Coulter counter and under different experimental conditions, the volume and rate of proliferation of neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells. 2. The K+ channel blockers TEA (1-10 mM), 4-aminopyridine (0.2-2 mM) and Cs+ (2.5-10 mM) increased the cell volume and decreased the rate of cell proliferation. Proliferation was fully inhibited when cell volume was increased by 25 %. 3. A 40 % increase in the culture medium osmolarity with NaCl induced a 25 % increase in cell volume and an 82 % decrease in the rate of cell proliferation. A 40 % increase in the culture medium osmolarity with mannitol induced a 9 % increase in cell volume and a 60 % decrease in the rate of cell proliferation. 4. The Cl- channel blocker NPPB (5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino) benzoic acid; 50 microM) induced a 12 % increase in cell volume and a 77 % decrease in the rate of cell proliferation. 5. A 24 % reduction in the culture medium osmolarity with H2O induced a 21 % decrease in cell volume and a 32 % increase in the rate of cell proliferation. 6. Under whole-cell patch-clamp conditions, antibiotics (penicillin plus streptomycin) decreased the voltage-dependent K+ current. Omission of antibiotics from the culture medium induced a 10 % decrease in the cell volume and a 32 % increase in the rate of cell proliferation. 7. These results suggest that the mechanisms controlling cell proliferation are strongly influenced by the factors which determine cell volume. This could take into account the role in mitogenesis of K+ channels and of other ionic pathways involved in cell volume regulation.
