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Relation of Colchicine to Chromosome Breakage

Abstract

COLCHICINE affects the mitotic spindle in a variety of ways1–3. It has also been claimed that colchicine will induce chromosome breaks4,5 ; but this effect has never been confirmed. Chromosome breaks have been found after treatment with old solutions of colchicine, but this action can be attributed to bacterial toxins, which are formed as the solution ages, and not to the colchicine itself6.

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DAVIDSON, D. Relation of Colchicine to Chromosome Breakage. Nature 180, 1059–1060 (1957). https://doi.org/10.1038/1801059b0

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