Microtubules in mouse embryo fibro blasts extracted with Triton X-100

A. D. Bershadsky, V. I. Gelfand*, T. M. Svitkina, I. S. Tint

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

50 Scopus citations

Abstract

Treatment of mouse embryo fibroblasts with 1% Triton X-100 at 37 °C in the presence of 4M glycerol and 1 mM EGTA results in the extraction of about 80% cellular proteins. Indirect immunofluorescent staining with monospecific antibodies against tubulin showed that extracted cultures contained a well developed system of cytoplasmic microtubules, indistinguishable from a system of control non-extracted cells. Microtubules in extracted cells were sensitive to Ca2+ ions, and to cold or prolonged incubation in a glycerol-free buffer. Sodium dodecylsulphate-polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis revealed proteins co-electrophoresed with tubulin and actin in Triton-treated cultures. Electron microscopy demonstrated the presence of both microtubules and microfilament bundles in the extracted cells, but complete dissolution of plasma and intracellular membranes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)425-432
Number of pages8
JournalCell Biology International Reports
Volume2
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1978

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cell Biology

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