Estimation of taxol influence on changes in tubulin and vimentin systems in K-562 and HL-60 cell lines by immunofluorescence microscopy

• Published in: Neoplasma Vol. 52; no. 3; p. 193
• Main Authors: Grzanka, A, Grzanka, D, Orlikowska, M, Zuryn, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Slovakia 2005
• Subjects: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic - pharmacology; Apoptosis; Cytoskeleton - drug effects; Cytoskeleton - pathology; HL-60 Cells; Humans; K562 Cells; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Paclitaxel - pharmacology; Tubulin - metabolism; Vimentin - metabolism
• ISSN: 0028-2685

The cytoskeletal system may be considered as an additional pathway involved in process of apoptosis and can be promising target for development of new chemotherapies. The study describes alterations in the distribution of vimentin and tubulin in taxol treated K-562 and HL-60 cells in relation to apoptotic changes. K-562 and HL-60 cells were treated with taxol in a range of concentrations (0.02-10 microM) for 72 hours. Significant changes in distribution of studied proteins occurred in the range 2-10 microM of taxol. K-562 cells showed thin network of vimentin distributed throughout cells or collapsed on nucleus. There were also cells with bright aggregates remembering apoptotic bodies. HL-60 cells showed strong labeling of vimentin in the cytoplasm as well as at the site of apoptotic bodies. Vimentin collapsed on the nucleus, labeling at poles and along the major axis of the cell were also seen. K-562 and HL- 60 cells showed radial labeling of tubulin from the centre, aggregates at the surface and bundled microtubules. These findings indicate that alterations in expression of studied cytoskeletal proteins after treatment with taxol were dose-dependent and related with characteristic features of apoptosis.