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 dimethylsulfoxide may be a useful tool to synchronize chain initiation in cultured cells.