[Cell culture and its application current methods for a synchronous culture of mammalian cells]

Synchronization of cells to various phases of the cell cycle in mammalian cells is crucial to analyze cell cycle progression and many other cellular functions. To date, various methods have been developed, such as mitotic selection, use of cell-cycle mutants, use of drugs which inhibit DNA replication (nucleoside analogue, excess thymidine, hydroxyurea, and aphidicolin), elutriation, deprivation of nutrients (amino acid, and serum), and new promising drugs of protein kinase inhibitors. Although above methods have both advantage and disadvantage, a practical and satisfactory method can be chosen from these method if taking into account goals of experiments and cell types to use. In near future, more powerful and reliable ones will be discovered since our understanding of the cell cycle has been increasing quite abruptly.