Reversible inhibition of protein synthesis in HeLa cells by dimethylsulfoxide.

Incubation of HeLa cells with dimethylsulfoxide results in a partial or complete inhibition of protein synthesis. At a concentration of 12 % dimethylsulfoxide, a complete inhibition of protein synthesis occurs within 3 to 4 min. This inhibition is reversible; on removal of dimethylsulfoxide, cells resume their normal rate of protein synthesis. Inhibition of protein synthesis by dimethylsulfoxide is accompanied by a complete breakdown of polyribosomes and release of nascent polypeptides. The breakdown of polyribosomes can be prevented by preincubating cells either with cycloheximide or anisomycin. These studies suggest that dimethyls&oxide may be a useful tool to synchronize chain initiation in cultured cells.