[Alterations of microtubule and microfilament expression in spinal cord of carbon disulfide intoxicated rats].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether the alterations of microtubule and microfilament expression are responsible for the neurotoxicity of carbon disulfide.


METHODS
Wistar rats were administered with carbon disulfide by gavage at a dosage of 300 or 500 mg/kg for continuous 12 weeks (five times per week). Spinal cords of carbon disulfide-intoxicated rats and their age-matched controls were Triton-extracted and ultracentrifuged to yield a pellet and a corresponding supernatant fraction. Then, the contents of alpha-tubulin, beta-tubulin, and beta-actin in both fractions were determined by immunoblotting. In the meantime, their mRNA levels in spinal cords were quantified using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).


RESULTS
In the supernatant fraction, the contents of beta-tubulin and beta-actin in both treated groups increased significantly (P < 0.01) the content of beta-tubulin increased by 141% and 158% respectively, and the content of beta-actin increased by 19% and 32% respectively. In the pellet fraction, the content of beta-tubulin in both groups increased by 107%(P < 0.01) and 118%(P < 0.01) respectively, and the others keep unaffected. In the meantime, the levels of of mRNA expression of beta-tubulin and beta-actin gene were elevated consistently in CS(2)-treated groups (P < 0.01) the levels of mRNA expression of beta-tubulin increased by 207% and 212% respectively, and the levels of mRNA expression of beta-actin increased by 94% and 91% respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Carbon disulfide intoxication results in alternations of microtubule and microfilament expression, and the alternations might be related to its neurotoxicity.
Pan
Guang-bing
GB
Institute of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
Song
Fu-yong
FY
Zhao
Xiu-lan
XL
Yu
Li-hua
LH
Zhou
Gui-zhen
GZ
Xie
Ke-qin
KQ
D000199:Actins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002246:Carbon Disulfide / Q000506:poisoning*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D014404:Tubulin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D000199:Actins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014404:Tubulin; D002246:Carbon Disulfide