Cytochalasin B: Effects on Cell Morphology, Cell Adhesion, and Mucopolysaccharide Synthesis

Abstract

Cytochalasin B reversibly causes extensive branching of myoblasts, fibroblasts, and nonencapsulated chondroblasts; it does not induce the formation of similar processes in myotubes, erythrocytes, amnion cells, encapsulated chondroblasts, or HeLa cells. The drug has no effect on the spontaneous contractions of isolated skeletal, cardiac, or smooth-muscle cells. Within 60 min, it depresses the incorporation of [(14)C]glucosamine into total mucopolysaccharide and glycoproteins by over 50%. The drug interferes with adhesion and sorting-out of dissociated embryonic cells. Cytochalasin B is likely to produce changes in components of the cell surface whose function is not readily or solely related to a system of "primitive contractile microfilaments."