Disassembly of cytoskeletal microtubules under various experimental conditions. An immunocytochemical study
Mráz, P.; Weismanová, E.
Zeitschrift für Mikroskopisch-Anatomische Forschung 101(6): 973-986
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0044-3107 PMID: 3450094 Document Number: 291599
Morphology of cytoskeletal microtubules (MT's) in cultured fibroblasts in response to calcium addition, calcium ionophores A 23187 and Ro-20-0006, to depolarization, low temperature and hypoxia using indirect immunocytochemical method with monoclonal antibodies was followed. Calcium addition (10 mmol .cntdot. 1-1) did not change normal MT appearance. On addition of calcium ionophores and external calcium MT's disassembled and split into short rods and granules. A similar effect was noted in response to depolarization by potassium. Low temperature and hypoxia led to MT disassembly but this effect was reversible: MT's in cytoskeletons reappeared after 1 h reincubation under normal conditions (after 30 min at 1.degree. C or 4 h under N2 atmosphere respectively). A possible role of calcium as second messenger in mediating MT disassembly has been considered.