title: n-Butanol induces depolymerization of microtubules in vivo and in vitro.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Life Science, University of Hyogo, Japan.
authors.forename: Ai
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hirase
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hamada
authors.forename: Tomohiko J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Itoh
authors.forename: Teruo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shimmen
authors.forename: Seiji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sonobe
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D020001:1-Butanol; D010739:Phospholipase D