Diazepam inhibits neurulation through its action on myosin-containing microfilaments in early chick embryos.
Diazepam (Valium/Roche) inhibited the morphogenesis of explanted stage 8 chick embryos in a dose-related manner. Diazepam, at concn of 400-500 micrograms/ml, preferentially inhibited closure of the neural tube. This inhibition was accompanied by a significant reduction in myosin content of the developing neuroepithelium. Diazepam can be used as a probe to study the contributory role of myosin in cellular and morphogenetic movements.
D000818:Animals; D002642:Chick Embryo; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D003975:Diazepam / Q000633:toxicity*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009218:Myosins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000139:chemically induced*
D009218:Myosins; D003975:Diazepam