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STUDIES ON CELL METABOLISM AND CELL DIVISION : II. STIMULATION OF CELLULAR OXIDATION AND REVERSIBLE INHIBITION OF
1Lilly Research Laboratories, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole.
The Journal of General Physiology
|October 30, 2009
Summary
Halogenated phenols, like dinitrophenols, increase oxygen consumption and reversibly block cell division in Arbacia eggs. Their activity depends on substituent arrangement, concentration, and timing, supporting the phenolic OH group
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Marine Biology
Background:
- Phenolic compounds, including nitrophenols, are known to affect cellular respiration and division in marine eggs.
- Previous studies indicated that dinitrophenols stimulate oxygen consumption and reversibly block cell division in fertilized Arbacia eggs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of dihalo and trihalophenols on oxygen consumption and cell division in fertilized Arbacia punctulata eggs.
- To determine how molecular structure, reagent concentration, and timing of application influence these biological activities.
- To compare the activity of halophenols with that of nitrophenols and other related compounds.
Main Methods:
- Fertilized Arbacia punctulata eggs were exposed to various concentrations of dihalo, trihalophenols, and dinitrophenols at different time points post-fertilization.
- Oxygen consumption rates were measured using respirometry.
- Cell division progression was monitored to assess the block and its reversibility.
Main Results:
- Dihalo and trihalophenols, similar to dinitrophenols, increased oxygen consumption and reversibly blocked cell division in Arbacia eggs.
- Optimal effects for halophenols generally required higher concentrations compared to their dinitrophenol counterparts.
- Monohalophenols showed minimal activity, while symmetrical trihalophenols exhibited moderate effects, contrasting with the high activity of p-nitrophenol and inactivity of trinitrophenol.
Conclusions:
- The biological activity of these substituted phenols is strongly influenced by the nature and arrangement of substituents on the benzene ring.
- Halophenols and dinitrophenols exhibit similar mechanisms of action, affecting respiration and cell division reversibly.
- Findings support the hypothesis that the phenolic hydroxyl group, modified by ring substitution, is crucial for the observed biological effects.
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