Drug

Partial List of Cytoskeletal Effectors
started by David Bouck, maintained by Bob Goldstein, last updated 3/03

Drug Effect Mode of Action

Cytochalasin D Actin filaments L Binds + ends of actin filaments and prevents elongation. Membrane permeable.

Latrunculin Actin filaments L Binds G actin monomers and prevents them from polymerizing into filaments. Membrane permeable.

Phalloidin Actin filaments J Binds tightly all along the sides of actin filaments and stabilizes them against depolymerization. Not membrane permeable.

Jasplakinolide Actin filaments J Similar to phalloidin, but membrane-permeable. Induces actin polymerization by stimulating actin filament nucleation; stabilizes F-actin. See M. Bubb papers.

BDM (2,3-butanedione monoxime) Myosin L Inhibits myosin ATPases without affecting actin filaments.

Nocodazole Microtubules L Causes microtubules to depolymerize to tubulin subunits.

Colchicine Microtubules
J and L Low concentration: blocks microtubule ends and prevents depolymerization. High Concentration: binds and sequesters free tubulin. Not readily reversible.

Taxol Microtubules J Binds to and stabilizes microtubules, preventing their depolymerization. High concentrations induce polymerization.

Vinblastine sulphate Microtubules L Binds b-tubulin to prevent polymerization.

Vincristine sulphate Microtubules L Binds free tubulin to prevent polymerization

Colcemid Microtubules L Binds and sequesters free tubulin. Readily reversible.

Low temperature Microtubules L Pushes microtubule-tubulin equilibrium away from polymerization.

Monastrol Kinesin L Mitosis inhibitor that does not interact with tubulin directly. Arrests cells in mitosis and specifically inhibits the motility of the mitotic kinesin, Eg5, a motor protein required for mitotic spindle formation and maintenance.

Key:
L = destabilizing/inactivating effect
J = stabilizing/activating effect

goldstein lab reprints UNC NIH GPP cell motility and cytoskeleton C. elegans North Carolina Triangle Worm Group TWG meetings

Drug	Effect	Mode of Action
Cytochalasin D	Actin filaments L	Binds + ends of actin filaments and prevents elongation. Membrane permeable.
Latrunculin	Actin filaments L	Binds G actin monomers and prevents them from polymerizing into filaments. Membrane permeable.
Phalloidin	Actin filaments J	Binds tightly all along the sides of actin filaments and stabilizes them against depolymerization. Not membrane permeable.
Jasplakinolide	Actin filaments J	Similar to phalloidin, but membrane-permeable. Induces actin polymerization by stimulating actin filament nucleation; stabilizes F-actin. See M. Bubb papers.
BDM (2,3-butanedione monoxime)	Myosin L	Inhibits myosin ATPases without affecting actin filaments.
Nocodazole	Microtubules L	Causes microtubules to depolymerize to tubulin subunits.
Colchicine	Microtubules J and L	Low concentration: blocks microtubule ends and prevents depolymerization. High Concentration: binds and sequesters free tubulin. Not readily reversible.
Taxol	Microtubules J	Binds to and stabilizes microtubules, preventing their depolymerization. High concentrations induce polymerization.
Vinblastine sulphate	Microtubules L	Binds b-tubulin to prevent polymerization.
Vincristine sulphate	Microtubules L	Binds free tubulin to prevent polymerization
Colcemid	Microtubules L	Binds and sequesters free tubulin. Readily reversible.
Low temperature	Microtubules L	Pushes microtubule-tubulin equilibrium away from polymerization.
Monastrol	Kinesin L	Mitosis inhibitor that does not interact with tubulin directly. Arrests cells in mitosis and specifically inhibits the motility of the mitotic kinesin, Eg5, a motor protein required for mitotic spindle formation and maintenance.