Cultured neuroblastoma cells and halothane: effects on cell growth and macromolecular synthesis

Cultured mouse neuroblastoma cells were grown in air-CO2 or air-CO2-halothane-gassed incubators. In the presence of halothane the growth rate of the cells was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner; 2 per cent halothane completely inhibited cell growth, while at 0.3 per cent halothane, the growth rate was 74 per cent of the control rate. The biosynthesis of protein and RNA in cells grown in the control atmosphere and that in cells grown in 1 per cent halothane were compared by several techniques. No significant difference between the rates of synthesis of these two macromolecules could be detected. Furthermore, a comparison of labeled protein and RNA by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed no qualitative difference. From this and previous work it is concluded that halothane affects the morphology and growth rate of cultured mouse neuroblastoma cells by disrupting cytoplasmic actin-like micro-filaments.