Low MW Peptides and Carcinogenesis

Problem: Low MW peptides many of them N-substituted, have growth inhibitory effects. Are the peptide levels different in malignant cells from normal cells? Method: Deprimerones dissociated from DNA at pH 9.5 was measured in normal and malignant cells. The level of Low MW compounds was also compared to large MW compounds [ratios] after gel filtration. Result: Chalones and some other low MW compounds were not as in normal tissues and cells found in these. However, these peptides could be found in the incubation fluid or ascites. DNA bound peptides were decreased in malignant cells.