Modulation of the cell cycle during reversible growth inhibition of 3T3 and SV40-3T3 cells with succinylated concanavalin A

Succinylated concanavalin A (ConA), a non-toxic, non-agglutinating derivative of the jack bean lectin ConA inhibits the growth of both normal and SV40-transformed 3T3 cells. The quantitative but not the qualitative growth inhibitory effect of succinyl-ConA can be modulated by the composition of the growth medium. Succinyl-ConA inhibited cells show a low rate of DNA synthesis and accumulate in the G0G1 phase of the cell cycle. Upon removal of the succinyl-ConA, inhibited cells re-enter the cell cycle synchronously.