Shape changes and chemokinesis of Walker 256 carcinosarcoma cells in response to colchicine, vinblastine, nocodazole and taxol.

Two morphologically distinct types of polarization and locomotion are found in Walker carcinosarcoma cells. Spontaneously polarized cells are characterized by formation of ruffles and spikes, cells polarized in the presence of microtubule-disassembling drugs by blebbing at the leading edge. Polarization and locomotion are closely correlated. Both can be stimulated by the microtubule-disassembling agents colchicine, nocodazole and vinblastine and suppressed by taxol or cytochalasin B. The results suggest that both microfilaments and microtubules may be involved in regulating polarization and chemokinesis, and that shape changes elicited by microtubule-disassembling agents depend on microfilaments.