Inverse effects of colchicine on the induction of long microvillous-like processes by cytochalasin B in cultured chick embryonic duodena.

Previously, the author reported that long microvillous-like processes (long processes) containing core actin filaments seemed to be related to the formation of previllous ridges in the chick embryonic duodenum and that similar long processes were induced by cytochalasin B (CB) treatment. The appearance of long processes by CB (polymerization of core actin filaments) seemed to be related to the ability of cell proliferation. In this study, the effect of colchicine on the induction of long processes by CB was examined in 11-day-old chick embryonic duodena in the culture system. The results were as follows: The induction of long processes by CB was inversely influenced by the concentration of colchicine; the appearance of long processes by CB was differently influenced by local parts of the epithelial cells in the presence of colchicine; and alteration of the arrangement of intracellular actin elicited by CB and colchicine was confirmed by immunohistochemistory using actin antiserum. It was also suggested that sudden intracellular alterations elicited by higher concentrations of colchicine may act as a trigger of cell division differing from normal conditions.