PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - WILLIAM D. NOTEBOOM AU - GERALD C. MUELLER TI - Inhibition of Cell Growth and the Synthesis of Ribonucleic Acid and Protein in HeLa Cells by Morphinans and Related Compounds DP - 1969 Jan 01 TA - Molecular Pharmacology PG - 38--48 VI - 5 IP - 1 4099 - http://molpharm.aspetjournals.org/content/5/1/38.short 4100 - http://molpharm.aspetjournals.org/content/5/1/38.full SO - Mol Pharmacol1969 Jan 01; 5 AB - The ability of a group of congeners of morphinan and related compounds to inhibit the growth of HeLa cells has been correlated with their ability to inhibit protein and RNA synthesis in the intact cell. With the exception of thebaine, the inhibition of protein synthesis by these compounds is associated with a dissolution of polysome structure. As shown earlier, the effects on protein synthesis appear to be indirect, since the compounds tested did not inhibit amino acid incorporation when added to a cell-free HeLa system, and there is evidence that these compounds profoundly affect intracellular ATP levels. The structural features required for inhibitory action have been analyzed. One interpretation of our findings points to the existence in HeLa cells of a mechanism for recognizing the C- and D-ring regions of the morphinans and related molecules. In the absence of information on the penetration and transport of these compounds, other mechanistic interpretations must be considered.