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Published on: February 11, 2015
The effect of triethyllead on the motile activity of walker 256 carcinosarcoma cells
Jolanta Sroka1, Rafał Kamiński, Marta Michalik
1Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland. jola@mol.uj.edu.pl
Abstract:
The effect of triethyllead (TriEL) on the morphology and motile activity of Walker 256 carcinosarcoma cells was investigated. It was found that both 2 and 5 microM TriEL affected the cellular motility in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Initially, 2 microM TriEL caused the formation of blebs instead of lamellipodia at the front of some cells and stimulated the migration of Walker cells, but after 2 hours of 2 microM TriEL treatment, a reduction of cellular motility was observed. In the presence of 5 microM TriEL, Walker 256 carcinosarcoma cells rounded up, and their rate of movement was reduced. Moreover, the treatment of Walker carcinosarcoma cells with TriEL caused the disruption of microtubules and affected the F-actin distribution at both concentrations. At a concentration of 2 microM TriEL, the actin staining intensity was greatest in the tail of front-tail polarised blebbing cells and the actin layer was very thin at the leading edge. The control cells showed linear cortical F-actin distribution and somewhat less intense cytoplasmic staining at the same TriEL concentration. Cells treated with 5 microM TriEL showed an under-membrane pattern of actin distribution.
Insights
Triethyllead (TriEL) impacts cancer cell movement and shape. This study shows TriEL disrupts cell structures, affecting motility and actin distribution in Walker 256 carcinosarcoma cells.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Cell Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Walker 256 carcinosarcoma cells are a model for studying cellular behavior.
- Triethyllead (TriEL) is an organometallic compound with known toxic effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of TriEL on the morphology and motility of Walker 256 carcinosarcoma cells.
- To understand how TriEL influences cellular structures like microtubules and F-actin.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of Walker 256 carcinosarcoma cells with varying concentrations of TriEL (2 and 5 microM).
- Microscopy techniques to observe cell morphology, motility, and F-actin distribution.
- Assessment of microtubule integrity.
Main Results:
- TriEL affected cellular motility in a dose- and time-dependent manner.
- Lower TriEL concentrations initially stimulated migration, while higher concentrations reduced it and caused cell rounding.
- TriEL disrupted microtubules and altered F-actin distribution, with distinct patterns observed at different concentrations.
Conclusions:
- TriEL significantly alters the morphology and motility of Walker 256 carcinosarcoma cells.
- The observed changes are linked to the disruption of the cellular cytoskeleton, specifically microtubules and F-actin.
- These findings highlight TriEL's potential as an agent affecting cancer cell behavior.
