Mammalian cells are not synchronized in G₁‐phase by starvation or inhibition: considerations of the fundamental concept of G₁‐phase synchronization

Abstract

Synchronization of mammalian cells by starvation‐refeeding or by inhibition‐release are among the most commonly used techniques for division cycle analysis. An alternative analysis—in the form of a Gedanken or thought experiment—is presented, casting doubt on the utility of this synchronization method. Arresting cell growth produces a culture where all cells contain a G₁ amount of DNA. However, these cells are not arrested at a particular point in the G₁‐phase. Analysis of ‘G₁ arrested cells’ suggests that, upon resumption of growth, the cells are not synchronized.

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