Abstract
Purified tubulin was prepared from fresh pig brain. Purity was determined by gel electrophoresis. Polymerization and depolymerization of microtubules were studied as a function of the presence (10 −3 M ) and absence of phenobarbital. The drug markedly depressed tubular assembly. Dialysis of presumably protein bound phenobarbital affected recovery of polymerization properties favorably, but only to 65% of control levels. Protein assembly was determined by biophysical methodology as incubation of tubulin proceeded at 37°C. Phenobarbital added to assembly medium interrupted polymerization and reduced both viscosity and turbidity. The various preparations were monitored by transmission electron microscopy. The lessened production of tubules in presence of drug was characterized by the presence of tubules of only 10 μ m in length. The significance of this drug effect on CNS development is discussed.
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