Abstract
The formation of the mitotic spindle of the newt cell in tissue culture has been studied, using polarized light. The rate of formation was measured and it was shown that the spindle increased in length at a constant rate until the maximum was attained. During metaphase the spindle shortened to about 50 to 60 per cent of its original length, reaching a minimum just before anaphase. No birefringence was detected in late anaphase in the spindle region after the chromosome masses had separated. The effects of certain compounds which are believed to inhibit protein synthesis were investigated. Chloramphenicol added in early prophase prevented the formation of a spindle of normal length. The possible relation of chloramphenicol to the synthesis of spindle proteins is discussed.
Full Text
The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (512.6 KB).
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- BLOOM W., ZIRKLE R. E., URETZ R. B. Irradiation of parts of individual cells. III. Effects of chromosomal and extrachromosomal irradiation on chromosome movements. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1955 Feb 3;59(4):503–513. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1955.tb45966.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- BREITMAN T. R., WEBSTER G. C. Effect of chloramphenicol on protein and nucleic acid synthesis in isolated thymus nuclei. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1958 Feb;27(2):408–409. doi: 10.1016/0006-3002(58)90350-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- FRANCIS M. D., WINNICK T. Studies on the pathway of protein synthesis in tissue culture. J Biol Chem. 1953 May;202(1):273–289. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- SWANN M. M., MITCHISON J. M. Refinements in polarized light microscopy. J Exp Biol. 1950 Sep;27(2):226–237. doi: 10.1242/jeb.27.2.226. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- WISSEMAN C. L., Jr, SMADEL J. E., HAHN F. E., HOPPS H. E. Mode of action of chloramphenicol. I. Action of chloramphenicol on assimilation of ammonia and on synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids in Escherichia coli. J Bacteriol. 1954 Jun;67(6):662–673. doi: 10.1128/jb.67.6.662-673.1954. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]