Abstract

The cytoskeleton (CS) is responsible for locomotion, intracellular motility and maintenance of cell structure. The system is composed of three major components: microfilaments, responsible for motility and cell structure, microtubules for organization and movement within the cell, and intermediate filaments, which may provide stability of intracellular contents.Monocrotaline (MCT) is a pyrrolizidine alkaloid plant toxin. When administered to rats, MCT is metabolized to monocrotaline pyrrole (MCTP) which induces lung injury and pulmonary hypertension. When administered to cultured pulmonary artery endothelial cells, MCTP causes progressive detachment, release of LDH, inhibition of cell proliferation, and distorted and enlarged nuclei. MCTP is a bifunctional alkylating agent that can crosslink DNA. We speculate that MCTP may also affect the cytoskeleton, resulting in inhibition of cell division.

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