Brefeldin A (BFA) disrupts the organization of the microtubule and actin cytoeskeletons.

ALVAREZ, C; SZTUL, E

ELSEVIER GMBH

Año: 1999 vol. 78 p. 1 - 1

revious inquiries into the effects of Brefeldin A (BFA) have largely concentrated on dynamics of ER-Golgi membrane traffic, predominantly after relatively short treatments with the drug. We have now analyzed the effects of long BFA treatment on overall cell morphology, behavior of resident and cycling Golgi proteins, and microtnbular and actin cytoskeletons organization. Prolonged (ISh or 4Oh) treatment of normal rat kidney (NRK) cells with BFA caused dramatic swelling of the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) and shifted its localization to the periphery of the cells. The Golgi complex was disassembled and Golgiproteins redistributed and persisted in partially distinct compartments.Prolonged BFA treatment resulted in marked disruption of the MT and actin cytoskeleton. Peripheral MT were absent and tubulin staining was concentrated in short astral MT emanating from the microtubule organizing center (MTOC). Actin stress fibers were largely absent and actin staining was concentrated