Inhibition of protein synthesis in cell cultures by vanadate and in brain homogenates of rats fed vanadate.

Following the observation of polysome disaggregation by vanadate, when Neuro-2a cells were incubated with vanadate, incorporation of 3H-leucine into protein was markedly inhibited. The inhibition of protein synthesis was dependent on vanadate concentration and on time of incubation. Inhibition of cell growth was also observed. Simultaneous measurements on vanadate-treated cells showed decreased Na,K-ATPase activity. Rats given sodium vanadate as their sole drinking fluid also showed an inhibition of brain protein synthesis (18 and 20% after 30 and 60 days, respectively, of treatment). Possible implications of the inhibition of Na,K-ATPase and of protein synthesis by vanadate are discussed.