Effects of various cytochalasins on the IgE-mediated serotonin release from rat basophilic leukemia cells

The effects of cytochalasins on the antigen-induced serotonin release from rat basophilic leukemia cells were investigated. These drugs could be divided into four groups based on their effect on the release: (1) drugs which enhance the release, (2) drugs which enhance the release at a low dose (10(-7) and 10(-6) M) and inhibit it at a high dose (10(-5) and 10(-4) M), (3) drugs which show only inhibition, and (4) drugs which are inert or slightly stimulate the reaction. Cytochalasins B and D were included in group 1 and chaetoglobosins A, D and J were placed in group 2. Group 3 contained aspochalasins B, D and cytochalasin A, and group 4 included chaetoglobosins E and F. The structure and activity relationships of these drugs are also discussed.