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Stimulation of DNA Synthesis in CNS Neurones by Sustained Depolarisation

Abstract

IT has been proposed1, 2 that intracellular ionic concentration levels associated with the electrical transmembrane potential (Em) of somatic cells may be functionally involved in mitogenesis control, cells possessing a low Em level (−10 to −20 mV) being mitogenically active. This hypothesis has been supported by subsequent demonstrations that imposed intracellular ionic conditions simulating high Em levels effectively but reversibly block mitogenesis3, 4. As a corollary of this hypothesis, it was suggested2 that mitogenesis might be activated in highly polarised non-dividing cells (such as mature CNS neurones and muscle) by maintaining them in a sufficiently depolarised state. We have investigated this possibility for the case of chick spinal cord neurones depolarised with the cardiac glycoside ouabain.

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STILLWELL, E., CONE, C. & CONE, C. Stimulation of DNA Synthesis in CNS Neurones by Sustained Depolarisation. Nature New Biology 246, 110–111 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio246110a0

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