1,3 dideazaadenosine is a mitogen for cultured mammalian cells

The effect of 1,3-dideazaadenosine (c1,3Ado) on DNA synthesis and rate of proliferation was measured in various mammalian cell lines. Vero, HeLa, CHO and SV40 3T3 cells displayed equal sensitivity to the stimulatory effect of the drug. Further experiments performed with Vero cells have indicated that the action of c1,3Ado was prompt, cell density dependent and did not result from an increased cell membrane permeability to exogenous labelled thymidine. c1,3Ado increased cell proliferation in 6 different normal or transformed cell lines. This data indicates that c1,3Ado displays mitogenic properties in cultured mammalian cells.