Abstract
COLCHICINE and other mitotic inhibitors have been used widely in cell cycle studies to produce synchronous cell populations1. This application is based on the ability of these drugs to inhibit mitosis by binding to tubulin and preventing microtubule (mitotic spindle) formation2. As well as inhibiting mitosis, these drugs modify the morphology and functions of cells during interphase. For example, colchicine inhibits the formation of cilia3, affects phagocytosis, the normal distribution of lysosomes4, and the synthesis and secretion of various proteins5–7 and alters the transport of certain nucleotides8. At very high concentrations (2–35×10−3 M) colchicine and colcemid retard the initiation of DNA synthesis and prolong the period of DNA synthesis9. We describe here the synergistic effects of colchicine and other anti-microtubule agents at lower concentrations (1–2×10−7 M) in the insulin- or serum-induced increase in cells moving from G1 to S phase. Our results suggest that microtubules have an important role in the regulation of DNA synthesis by growth factors.
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TENG, MH., BARTHOLOMEW, J. & BISSELL, M. Synergism between anti-microtubule agents and growth stimulants in enhancement of cell cycle traverse. Nature 268, 739–741 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/268739a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/268739a0
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