EFFECT OF CANATOXIN ON CELL-CULTURES

Canatoxin, a toxic protein isolated from Canavalia ensiformis, was shown to inhibit DNA synthesis and to produce a cytolytic effect when added in vitro to various cells, in doses ranging from 50 to 500 nM. In this case no selectivity was found for a certain cell type, as both normal and transformed cells could be affected by the toxic protein. The cytostatic effect was irreversible upon removal of the toxic protein from the medium and could be fully attained after exposing the cells to canatoxin for only 30 min. The use of an in vitro cell culture system may allow for a better insight on the mode of action of canatoxin. © 1991.