Diminution of Rate of Cell Division by Reversible Dyes Coincident with Enhancement of Oxidations

Abstract

The effect of reversible dyes on the rate of the first cell division of normally fertilized eggs of the sea urchin, Arbacia punctulata, was studied at constant temp. The dye chiefly studied was methylene blue, with additional observations on toluylene blue, and brilliant cresyl blue. The concns. of dyes used were such as to stimulate the O2 uptake of fertilized sea urchin eggs from a few % to several fold. Enhancement of O2 uptake by these dyes is associated with a retardation of the rate of cell division, as detd. quantitatively by the time required for 50% of the cells to pass through first cleavage. Within limits, the rate of cell division is slowed approx. in proportion to dye concn. With increasing concn., complete inhibition of the division of an increasing percentage of cells is observed. Simply increasing the metabolism of the cell does not lead to acceleration of cell division. The increased energy must be channeled in a given direction in order to facilitate cell division. As these results show, by the use of suitable agents (dyes), energy normally going into cell division may be diverted with resultant retardation of cell division.