Effect of Cadmium and Colcemide on the Mitoses of a Human Epithelial Cell Line with High Content of Cytoplasmic Metallothionein

Abstract

Cultures of cell strains with an without metallothionein were exposed to CdCl2 [environmental hazard] in doses ranging from 10 to 200 .mu.ol/l. Cell growth parameters were monitored by flow cytometric DNA-measurements, cell counts and counting of mitoses during the first 2 days after exposure. CdCl2 inhibited cell growth in a dose dependent way. The Cd resistant cells were inhibited with concentrations above 100 .mu.mol/l, the concentration which the metallothionein-containing cells had previously been adjusted to. Microscopy of the cell cultures showed a dose dependent accumulation of cells in the mitotic prophase, whereas the other phases of the cell cycle were unaffected as measured by flow cytometry. When exposed to colcemide, the 2 cell strains showed identical responsiveness.