Cell cycle-dependent inhibition of DNA synthesis by prostaglandin I2 in cultured rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells

The role of prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) in the control of DNA synthesis during the cell cycle was investigated in cultured rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC). SMC at confluency in the G0 state reached the S phase about 16 h after stimulation with serum, as judged by measurement of [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA (DNA synthesis). Cyclooxygenase inhibitors such as indomethacin and aspirin enhanced DNA synthesis, suggesting that endogenously synthesized prostaglandins inhibit DNA synthesis. Added PGE1 or PGE2 had little effect on DNA synthesis. PGI2 inhibited DNA synthesis only when added from 10 to 16 h after stimulation of SMC in the G0 state with serum. Addition of CS-570, a stable PGI2 analogue, inhibited DNA synthesis at any time after serum stimulation. The endogenous syntheses of PGI2 and DNA were negatively correlated. These results suggest that PGI2 inhibits DNA synthesis by acting on the progression stage of the G1 state.