title: Involvement of microfilaments in filopodial function of phagocytic granular cells of the silkworm, Bombyx mori.
abstract: The effects of colchicine, vinblastine, and cytochalasin B (CB) on both attachment and filopodial function of phagocytic granular cells of Bombyx mori were studied using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Incubation of cells with colchicine or vinblastine had only a little effect on attachment and filopodial function. CB, on the other hand, caused a marked inhibition of filopodia elongation and thus inhibited attachment. The effects of all drugs were dose-dependent. Colchicine and vinblastine did not affect filopodia contractility. Treatment of cells with CB, however, caused retraction of once-elongated filopodia. The inhibitory effect of CB on elongation was reversible with treatment of hemolymph. The results strongly suggest that cytochalasin-sensitive structures, most likely microfilaments, are involved in filopodial function and that hemolymph will be of great importance in the activation of microfilament system.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D012831:Bombyx / Q000276:immunology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D003078:Colchicine / Q000494:pharmacology; D003571:Cytochalasin B / Q000494:pharmacology; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D003571:Cytochalasin B; D014747:Vinblastine; D003078:Colchicine