Expression of prelamin A but not mature lamin A confers sensitivity of DNA biosynthesis to lovastatin on F9 teratocarcinoma cells.

The role of inhibition of prelamin A processing in the inhibition of DNA synthesis by lovastatin was examined by expressing prelamin A in F9 teratocarcinoma cells. These cells, normally lacking expression of the A/C lamins, were transfected with constructs expressing either prelamin A or mature lamin A and the effect of lovastatin on DNA biosynthesis was assessed. It was found that expression of prelamin A specifically conferred sensitivity to inhibition of DNA biosynthesis by lovastatin on F9 cells.