Protein Accumulation in Cultures of Hepatic Tumor Cells Exposed to Dimethylsulfoxide

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Abstract
The effect of the differentiation-inducing agent dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) on the protein composition of hepatic tumor cells was evaluated using the BW77-1 line of murine hepatoma cells previously determined to be DMSO-inducible for enhanced liver function. DMSO-mediated suppression of BW77-1 proliferation was accompanied by a stimulated uptake of [35S]-methionine and incorporation of the isotope into acid-insoluble product. DMSO produced a quantitative increase in the major cellular and secreted protein species/106 cells although qualitatively the pattern of major peptides among control and DMSO-treated populations was basically similar; increases in 2 minor peptides of 90,000 and 110,000 daltons was noted, in the secreted protein fraction of DMSO-treated cells relative to controls. The enhanced levels of differentiated liver cell gene products previously observed as a consequence of DMSO exposure may reflect a stimulation in the synthesis, accumulation and secretion of at least all of the major proteins normally produced by BW77-1 hepatoma cells.