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Updated: Jun 24, 2026

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Published on: June 14, 2012
Dimethylarsinous acid disturbs cytokinesis
Mari Kitamura1, Koichi Kuroda, Ginji Endo
1Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Human Environmental Science, Mukogawa Women's University, 6-46 Ikebiraki-cho, Nishinomiya, Japan. mari_k@mukogawa-u.ac.jp
Dimethylarsinous acid (DMAIII) causes cells to become tetraploid and multinucleated. DMAIII disrupts mitosis and cytokinesis, leading to abnormal cell division and multinuclear cells in V79 cell lines.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Toxicology
- Genetics
Background:
- Arsenical compounds are known environmental toxins.
- Dimethylarsinous acid (DMAIII) is a metabolite of inorganic arsenic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of DMAIII on cell division in V79 cells.
- To determine the impact of DMAIII on mitosis and cytokinesis.
Main Methods:
- V79 cells were treated with varying concentrations of DMAIII.
- Cellular morphology and mitotic status were assessed.
- Actin distribution was visualized using rhodamine-phalloidin staining.
Main Results:
- DMAIII induced tetraploidy and multinucleation in a dose-dependent manner.
- Mitotic arrest was observed at 2.5 microM DMAIII, with no mitosis at 5 microM.
- Abnormal actin localization was detected in DMAIII-treated dividing cells.
Conclusions:
- DMAIII interferes with mitotic spindle formation and cytokinesis.
- DMAIII promotes the formation of multinuclear cells.
- These findings highlight DMAIII's potential as a clastogenic agent affecting cell division.
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