Synchronization of tobacco cells (Nicotiana tabacum) NT-1

The synchronizing capacity of aphidicolin and hydroxyurea on NT-1 cultures of tobacco cells (Nicotiana tabacum) NT-1. Synchronized cell cultures are a powerful tool in biochemistry and molecular studies related to cell cycle and commonly chemicals are used to block the biochemical cycle. The tobacco cell line NT-1 comes from cell line TBY-2, the former being characterized with a slower growth rate and heterogeneous cell size. Results show 30 % synchrony with 5 μg/ml aphidicolin, similar to that obtained with TBY-2. Different concentrations of hydroxyurea were tested, obtaining an optimal synchrony of 31 % at 0.75 mM of concentration. It is also shown that it is possible to synchronize NT-1 cultures in similar percentages to those obtained with TBY-2, with either aphidicolin or hydroxyurea. For this purpose, hydroxyurea is recommended because of its lower cost and chemical stability.