Cyclic AMP-induced cytolysis in S49 cells: selection of an unresponsive "deathless" mutant

Wild-type S49 lymphoma cells respond to cyclic adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (cAMP) by inducing cAMP phosphodiesterase, halting growth in the G1 phase of the cell cycle and subsequently dying. By using a counter selection procedure, we have isolated a new class of mutants of S49 cells termed "deathless" that are resistant to cytolysis, but otherwise respond like the wild-type cells to cAMP. Upon removal of the cyclic nucleotide, D-cells resume their normal growth. Unlike all other cAMP-resistant mutants of S49 cells isolated until now, the D- mutant has a functionally normal cAMP-dependent protein kinase and retains normal ability to induce phosphodiesterase and arrest cell growth in G1. It is probable that the altered gene product of the D- mutant is distal to protein kinase and in a biochemical pathway separate from that of cAMP induction of phosphodiesterase or growth arrest. The D- mutant may facilitate studies of the mechanism of cAMP-induced cytolysis and growth regulation in S49 cells.