n-Butanol induces depolymerization of microtubules in vivo and in vitro.
The effects of butanol on microtubules (MTs) were examined by immunofluorescence microscopy. Fragmentation of cortical MTs was induced by n-butanol, but not by s- and t-butanols, in cultured tobacco BY-2 cells. Taxol prevented n-butanol-induced MT fragmentation. Fragmented cortical MTs were still attached to the inner face of the plasma membrane when n-butanol-treated protoplasts were ruptured on the slide glass. Moreover, MTs were depolymerized in the presence of n-butanol in vitro. Therefore, n-butanol is not only an activator of phospholipase D but also an effective MT-depolymerizing agent.
Hirase
Ai
A
Graduate School of Life Science, University of Hyogo, Japan.
Hamada
Takahiro
T
Itoh
Tomohiko J
TJ
Shimmen
Teruo
T
Sonobe
Seiji
S
D020001:1-Butanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008870:Microtubules / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010739:Phospholipase D / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D020001:1-Butanol; D010739:Phospholipase D