The influence of dinitrophenol and fatty acids on the P32 metabolism of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells.

Dinitrophenol (DNP) and decanoate acted as uncoupling agents in intact Ehrlich ascites cells. Their effects were exerted very rapidly, and within 5 minutes of their addition to ascites cells all adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) was lost from the cells. In the presence of either DNP or decanoate there was a decrease in the extent of labeling of the ATP plus ADP fraction under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. It was concluded that both compounds increased the ATPase activity of the ascites cells in addition to acting as uncoupling agents. In the presence of glucosamine or of 2-deoxy glucose there was an inhibition of P32