On the mode of action of the immunosuppressive sesquiterpene ovalicin

When the potent immunosuppressive sesquiterpene ovalicin is added to lymphocyte cultures one first observes a preferential inhibition of uridine incorporation into rRNA. The uptake of the nucleoside, its conversion into the triphosphate or the polymerizing activity itself are not affected. A longer period of incubation with the drug results in a marked decrease in the number of ribosomes, with a concomitant reduction of the rate of leucine incorporation into all cellular proteins. After extended periods of time, the incorporation of thymidine into DNA in stimulated lymphocytes as well as in SV49.1 lymphoma cells is inhibited by 1 nM ovalicin or less, although part of the incorporation seems to be resistant to the drug even at much higher concentrations. A similar affect is observed with 3T6 mouse fibroblasts or HeLa cells. Here, however, a much longer incubation with the drug is required. This observation explains the selective effect of ovalicin on lymphocytes observed in vivo.