Action of Cytochalasin B on Cultured Human Lymphocytes

Abstract

COMPOUNDS which effect cell division are interesting because they have the potential of increasing our knowledge about this poorly understood biological process. The cytochalasin compounds fall into this category because they can influence both cellular and nuclear division. Cytochalashis are metabolites derived from moulds, and have recently been isolated by Dr W. B. Turner and their molecular structure reported by Aldridge et al.¹. Carter has shown some of the effects of the cytochalasin B on Earle's L strain of mouse fibroblasts in culture². In varying conditions of concentration and time, the compound inhibited cell motility, produced extrusion of the nucleus and blocked cytoplasmic cleavage, nuclear division continuing with the production of multinucleated cells.