Morphological and biochemical study of cytoskeletal changes in cultured cells after extracellular application of Clostridium novyi alpha-toxin.
Clostridium novyi alpha-toxin caused retraction and rounding of cultured endothelial cells from porcine pulmonary arteries; nevertheless, the endothelial cells firmly adhered to their supports. F-actin stained with fluorescein-labeled phalloidin was condensed around the nucleus, whereas intermediate filaments and microtubules appeared unchanged. The content of F-actin and myosin was decreased, but that of G-actin or vimentin was not. A predominant role of the microfilament system in C. novyi alpha-toxin cytopathic action is suggested.
Oksche
A
A
Rudolf-Buchheim-Institute of Pharmacology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
Nakov
R
R
Habermann
E
E
D000199:Actins / Q000032:analysis; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003013:Clostridium / Q000472:pathogenicity; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008854:Microscopy, Electron
D000199:Actins; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; C075216:Clostridium novyi alpha-toxin