Ultrastructural immunocytochemical distribution of tubulin in cultured cells treated with microtubule inhibitors.

Microtubules in tissue cultured cells are stained immunocytochemically with the PAP-method using a purified antitubulin antibody. Treatment of the cells with microtubule inhibitors (colchicine, nocodazole, vinblastine) results in the disappearance of microtubules. The diffuse cytoplasmic staining is strongly increased in the cells by colchicine and nocodazole. Vinblastine produces paracrystalline aggregates that are strongly stained and macrotubules that are unstained. The diffuse staining is much less in vinblastine-treated cells. The bundles of intermediate filaments that are induced by all microtubule inhibitors do not bind the antitubulin antibody.