USE OF I125-LABELED 5-IODO-2′-DEOXYURIDINE FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF DNA SYNTHESIS IN MAMMALIAN CELLS IN VITRO

The use of isotopically labeled 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine (I125UdR) for determination of the rate of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in mammalian cells in vitro has been investigated. The results obtained indicate that for this purpose I125UdR is a suitable substitute for the more commonly used DNA precursor, tritium-labeled thymidine (H3TdR). I125UdR appears to be incorporated specifically into the DNA of cells in culture, and has been demonstrated to compete with H3TdR, although the Km for H3TdR was smaller than that of I125UdR by a factor of approximately 4. The amount of label incorporated into DNA of cells increased linearly with time. When the rate of DNA synthesis was reduced by exposure of the cells to various doses of X-rays, the ratio of I125UdR incorporation to H3TdR incorporation into DNA of cells was found to be a constant, which supports the view that uptake of the analogue provides as reliable an indication of effects upon the rate of DNA synthesis as does that of H3TdR. The chief advantage of I125UdR over H3TdR is that I125 is a gamma emitter, so that the difficulties encountered in detection of the low energy beta particles from H3 may be avoided.