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Measurement of cell proliferation by heavy water labeling

Nature Protocols volume 2, pages 3045–3057 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

DNA replication occurs almost exclusively during S-phase of the cell cycle and represents a simple biochemical metric of cell division. Previous methods for measuring cell proliferation rates have important limitations. Here, we describe experimental protocols for measuring cell proliferation and death rates based on the incorporation of deuterium (2H) from heavy water (2H2O) into the deoxyribose moiety of purine deoxyribonucleotides in DNA of dividing cells. Label incorporation is measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Modifications of the basic protocol permit analysis of small cell samples (down to 2,000 cells). The theoretical basis and operational requirements for effective use of these methods to measure proliferation and death rates of cells in vivo are described. These methods are safe for use in humans, have technical and interpretation advantages over alternative techniques and can be used on small numbers of cells. The protocols enable definitive in vivo studies of the fraction or absolute number of newly divided cells and their subsequent survival kinetics in animals and humans.

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Figure 1: Biosynthetic labeling of DNA using 2H2O.
Figure 2: Long-term BrdU administration reduces the proliferation rate of some cells.
Figure 3: 2H2O labeling efficiency at the purine-dR moiety of DNA is independent of apoptosis in surrounding tissue.
Figure 4: Asymptotic or maximal EM1* values calculated at 2H enrichment values in body water between 0% and 12%.
Figure 5: Experimental design.
Figure 6: Deoxyribose (dR) derivative used for NCI-GC/MS analysis and its preparation from DNA.
Figure 7: Example of low cell count method: proliferation of prostate epithelial cells in prostate biopsies and in seminal fluid.
Figure 8: GC/MS analysis of the PFTA derivative of dR.
Figure 9: Analyte abundance effects.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Chancy Fessler, Kris Prado, Daniel Holochwost, Tracy A. Gee, Iche M. Siah and Ablatt Mahsut for technical assistance and Dr. Nabil Saad for contributing analytical expertise. We also thank Dr. Katsuto Shinohara, Dr. Jeff Simko and Dr. Lisa Misell for contributions to the human prostate epithelial, low cell count results shown. The work was supported by funds from KineMed Inc. and NIH grants AI43866 and HD 40543-06 and University of California Discovery Program BioSTAR grant bio04-10445 to M.K.H. M.K.H. is co-founder and chief scientific officer of KineMed Inc.; the other coauthors are current or former employees of KineMed Inc. (G.M.H., M.A., R.B.) and/or consultants (R.A.N., R.B., M.A., E.J.M.) and hold stock or stock options in the company.

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Author notes

  1. Robert Busch

    Present address: Present address: Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 2QQ, UK.,

  2. Mohamad Awada

    Present address: Present address: ThermoFisher Scientific, HyClone Laboratories, Logan, Utah 84321, USA.,

  3. Robert Busch and Richard A Neese: These authors contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. KineMed Inc., 5980 Horton Street, Emeryville, 94608, California, USA

    Robert Busch, Mohamad Awada & Gregory M Hayes

  2. Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, 94720, California, USA

    Richard A Neese & Marc K Hellerstein

  3. Department of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, 94110, California, USA

    Marc K Hellerstein

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Correspondence to Marc K Hellerstein.

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M.K.H. is co-founder and chief scientific officer of KineMed, Inc.; the other coauthors are employees of KineMed, Inc. (J.N.V., G.M.H.) or consultants (R.B., M.A.) and hold stock options in the company.

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Busch, R., Neese, R., Awada, M. et al. Measurement of cell proliferation by heavy water labeling. Nat Protoc 2, 3045–3057 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/nprot.2007.420

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