Microtubular Crystals in Mammalian Cells

Periwinkle alkaloids in very low concentrations cause an intracytoplasmic sequestration of microtubule protein in the form of symmetrical, microtubular bodies. These crystals, which may measure up to 8 μ in length, appear within 30 min in L-strain fibroblasts in vitro, but they increase in incidence...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of cell biology 1969-01, Vol.40 (1), p.95-107
Main Authors: Bensch, Klaus G., Malawista, Stephen E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alkaloids
Cells
Centrioles
Colchicine - pharmacology
Crystallization
Crystals
Culture Techniques
Cytoplasm - drug effects
Fibroblasts
HeLa cells
Humans
L Cells (Cell Line)
Leukocytes
Leukocytes - drug effects
Microtubules
Mitosis - drug effects
Periodicity
Puromycin - pharmacology
Vinblastine - pharmacology
Vinca alkaloids
Vincristine - pharmacology
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Description
Summary:Periwinkle alkaloids in very low concentrations cause an intracytoplasmic sequestration of microtubule protein in the form of symmetrical, microtubular bodies. These crystals, which may measure up to 8 μ in length, appear within 30 min in L-strain fibroblasts in vitro, but they increase in incidence and size with time of exposure to the alkaloids. Similarly, if exposed to these compounds, human leukocytes in vitro contain identical crystalline structures. Neither colchicine nor puromycin prevents the formation of these bodies; the latter compound, however, retards crystal growth.
ISSN:0021-9525
1540-8140
DOI:10.1083/jcb.40.1.95