The Effect of Cycloheximide on Cell Division in Partially Synchronized Plant Cells

Abstract

Cycloheximide blocked cell division at interphase, prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, and telophase in Jerusalem artichoke tuber tissue. Blocking at anaphase did not occur or was very infrequent. In any cell, the location of the block depended upon the stage of the cell cycle reached at the time of cycloheximide addition. In general, cycloheximide caused similar blocks in interphase and mitosis in cells of synchronised broad bean root tips. A reduction of mitotic frequency occurred after about 8 hr in cycloheximide, indicating a reversion of chromosome coiling.