Genistein (4',5,7-trihydroxyisoflavone), an isoflavone, is a major constituent of soyfoods. It has potential antiproliferative activity against several tumor types. We have examined the effect of genistein on cellular microtubules as well as its binding with purified tubulin in vitro. Cell viability experiments using human non-small lung epithelium carcinoma cells (A549) indicated that the IC(50) value for genistein is 72 microM. Flow cytometry experiments demonstrated that genistein arrested cell cycle progression at the G(2)/M phase, but mitotic index data showed that genistein did not arrest cell cycle progression at mitosis. Immunofluorescence studies using an anti-alpha-tubulin antibody demonstrated a significant depolymerization of the interphase microtubules in a dose-dependent manner, and this was confirmed by the Western blot experiment using genistein-treated A549 cells. In vitro polymerization of purified tubulin into microtubules was inhibited by genistein with an IC(50) value of 87 microM. Genistein binding to tubulin quenched protein tryptophan fluorescence in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Binding of genistein to tubulin was slow, taking approximately 45 min for equilibration at 37 degrees C. The association rate constant was 104.64 +/- 20.63 M(-1) s(-1) at 37 degrees C. The stoichiometry of genistein binding to tubulin was nearly 1:1 (molar ratio) with a dissociation constant of 15 microM at 37 degrees C. It was interesting to note that genistein did not recognize either the colchicine site or the vinblastine binding site of tubulin. Surprisingly, genistein inhibited ANS binding and competed for its binding site of tubulin with a K(i) of 20 microM as determined from a modified Dixon plot. Hence, we conclude that one of the mechanisms of antiproliferative activity of genistein is depolymerization of microtubules through binding of tubulin.