The effects of p-DL-fluorophenylalanine on chromosome movement and cytokinesis of human amnion cells in culture.

Abstract

An analysis is presented of time lapse motion picture films showing the effects of DL-p-fluorophenylalanine (PFPA) on chromosome movement in cultured human amnion cells. The data indicate that PFPA has the unusual effect of slowing the rate at which chromosomes move in anaphases which occur after the beginning of treatment. Irrespective of treatment, cytokinesis begins when chromsome movement has progressed to a relatively fixed point. Thus, a slowdown in the rate of chromosome movement leads to a delay in initiation of cytokinesis. Cytokinesis, once it begins, is not affected by treatment with the analog.