Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Revealing the Cytoskeletal Organization of Invasive Cancer Cells in 3D
Published on: October 26, 2013
Involvement of the cytoskeleton in regulation of collagen synthesis and secretion
P Carinci1, M Bodo, R Evangelisti
1Istituto di Istologia ed Embriologia Generale-Università di Ferrara, Italia.
Abstract:
11-day chick embryo skin fibroblasts administered in vitro with colchicine or cytochalasin B, have been investigated for collagen synthesis and secretion. The cytoskeleton, examined by confocal laser scanning immunofluorescence microscope, exibited in colchicine treated cells a clear loss of microtubules, in cytochalasin B treated cells a diffuse staining and patches of intracellular fluorescence caused by actin disassembly. Cytochalasin B treatment decreased endocellular type I collagen synthesis and the total uptake of 3H-proline, while enhanced collagen secretion. Colchicine did not interfere with the collagen secretion and the label uptake, whereas it increased endocellular collagen synthesis. In addition, both drugs induced an increase of the alpha2:alpha1 ratio of collagen chains. The results obtained suggest that the cytoskeleton controls not only the morphological organization of cell components, but also the organization of biochemical processes.
Related Concept Videos
Structural Protein Function
Collagen, the most abundant protein in mammals, is found throughout the body. In connective tissue, such as skin, ligaments, and tendons, it provides tensile strength and elasticity. In bones and teeth, it mineralizes to form...
Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration
Collagens are the Major Structural Proteins of ECM
Connective tissue proper includes loose...
Fibril-associated Collagen
For example, the type II collagen fibrils in cartilage have covalently bound type IX fibril-associated collagens at regular intervals. Other types of fibril-associated collagens are...
Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
Extracellular Matrix

