Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026
06:18
Mapping Metabolism: Monitoring Lactate Dehydrogenase Activity Directly in Tissue
Published on: June 21, 2018
Exogenous lactate interferes with cell-cycle control in Balb/3T3 mouse fibroblasts
1Department of Cancer Biology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115.
International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics
|February 1, 1995
Summary
Exogenous lactate affects mammalian cell proliferation by altering cell-cycle control. It prolongs the G2/M phase during exponential growth but stimulates proliferation in density-inhibited cultures.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Mammalian Cell Culture
Background:
- Exogenous lactate's influence on mammalian cell proliferation, radiation sensitivity, and DNA repair is documented.
- The precise mechanisms underlying these effects require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms by which exogenous lactate affects cell proliferation and cell-cycle distribution in mammalian cells.
- To examine the impact of exogenous lactate on immortal, nontumorigenic mammalian cells.
Main Methods:
- Balb/3T3 mouse fibroblasts were cultured with or without 10 mM lactate.
- Cell proliferation rates were monitored daily by cell counting.
- Cell-cycle distribution was analyzed using flow cytometry.
Main Results:
- Exogenous lactate significantly increased the mean population doubling time from 17.7 to 19.9 hours during exponential growth by prolonging the G2/M phase.
- In density-inhibited cultures, exogenous lactate stimulated entry into the S phase and increased proliferation to a higher saturation density.
Conclusions:
- Exogenous lactate modulates cell-cycle control at distinct points, influenced by cell density and proliferation inhibition.
- These cell-cycle alterations may explain lactate's effects on mammalian cell radiosensitivity and postirradiation repair.
