In vitro inhibition of microtubule assembly by disulfiram.
Disulfiram (Tetraethylthiuram disulfide, DSF) inhibits in vitro tubulin polymerization in a dose-dependent manner after a preliminary incubation time. Electron micrographs show that microtubules are shorter and less numerous. This inhibition may be correlated to blockade of protein SH groups. The linkage of DSF-tubulin hinders the vinca alkaloids-tubulin binding as shown using radioactive assay and microcalorimetric measurements. These results could be responsible for the occurrence of some side effects observed during the therapeutic use of this drug.
D000818:Animals; D001704:Biopolymers; D003078:Colchicine / Q000378:metabolism; D004221:Disulfiram / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008870:Microtubules / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000187:drug effects; D013552:Swine; D014404:Tubulin / Q000378:metabolism; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000378:metabolism; D014750:Vincristine / Q000378:metabolism
D001704:Biopolymers; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D014404:Tubulin; D014750:Vincristine; D014747:Vinblastine; D003078:Colchicine; D004221:Disulfiram