Effect of ethanol and its metabolites on microtubule formation.

Ethanol, acetaldehyde, and acetate were investigated for their effects on bovine neurotubulin polymerization. Ethanol at concentrations as high as 50 mM did not affect the rate or extent of tubulin polymerization. Acetyldehyde inhibited tubulin polymerization in a concentration-dependent manner, with complete inhibition at 10 mM and slight inhibition at 1 mM. Sodium acetate caused a concentration-dependent increase in tubulin polymerization, however sodium chloride showed a similar effect. These data indicate that ethanol and acetate were not inhibitors of microtubule formation while acetaldehyde exhibited weak inhibitory activity.