[Cytochalasin B induced changes in cytoplasmic Na+/K+ balance in 2-cell mouse embryo]

This work was performed to study changes in intracellular elemental (Na/K) concentrations caused by Cytochalasin B in two-cell mouse embryo using Electron Probe Microanalysis. The presence of Cytochalasin B is required to transfer a somatic cell nuclear into an early embryo cell. The direct effect of this chemical is cytoskeleton transformation, which would be able to cause the increase of potassium channel activity resulting in cytoplasmic Na/K imbalance. In our study Cytochalasin B was shown to decrease the intracellular sodium concentration. The Na/K balance in the cytoplasm of mouse embryos reverted to its intact level after treatment them with Cytochalasin B free Dulbecco's solution. Possible mechanisms responsible for the changes in the intracellular sodium concentration observed in the embryo cells are discussed.