Effects of taxol on microtubule arrays in cultured higher plant cells

Abstract

Abstract Treatment with 10 μm taxol disrupted mitotic and cytoplasmic arrays of microtubules (MT) in cultured cells of two higher plants, Vicia hajastana (vetch) and Zinnia elegans. When treated for 1, 24, and 48 h, cells in both cultures showed similar effects. After 1 h, multipolar arrays of MT were noted in prophase, large aster‐like arrays of MT appeared in metaphase, and extra MT shared poles with otherwise normal‐appearing metaphase and anaphase configurations. After 24 and 48 h, some phragmoplasts were multipartite or misplaced. In interphase cells, micronuclei and multinucleate cells were evidence of irregular mitosis and cytokinesis. Cytoplasmic MT in elongated cells were oriented parallel to, instead of at right angles to the long axis of the cell. Some interphase cells lost asymmetry while maintaining organized arrays of MT. Taxol appears to disrupt mitotic and cytoplasmic arrays of MT, seemingly overriding the mechanism(s) regulating MT polymerization and orientation.