title: The effects of estramustine on metaphase and anaphase in DU 145 prostatic carcinoma cells.
abstract: The chemotherapeutic drug, estramustine, has been shown to cause the disassembly of microtubules via binding to microtubule-associated proteins. In this report, estramustine is shown to be a potent inhibitor of mitotic progression in the human prostatic carcinoma cell line, DU 145. Examination of individual living cells via video-enhanced differential interference contrast (DIC) optics shows that the drug delays the onset of anaphase, reduces anaphase spindle-pole elongation (anaphase B), and delays cytokinesis. In addition, immunofluorescent studies demonstrate that estramustine causes a rapid disorganization of the mitotic apparatus at significantly lower concentrations than those reported previously. Electron microscopic studies show that microtubule bundles are present in drug-treated mitotic cells in association with kinetochores and centrioles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111.
authors.forename: V R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Sheridan
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Speicher
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Tew
mesh_terms: D000705:Anaphase / Q000187:drug effects*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004961:Estramustine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008677:Metaphase / Q000187:drug effects*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000187:drug effects; D008870:Microtubules / Q000187:drug effects; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000187:drug effects; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D004961:Estramustine