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Updated: May 5, 2026

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Effect of mitotic inhibitors on the ultrastructure of root meristem cells

G Hillmann1, A Ruthmann

  • 1Lehrstuhl für Zellmorphologie der Ruhr-Universität, Postfach 102148, D-4630, Bochum, Federal Republic of Germany.

Planta
|November 26, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Vinblastine disrupts cell division in Vicia faba by damaging the spindle apparatus and plasma membranes. Lumicolchicine causes similar but less severe effects, unlike colchicine.

Area of Science:

  • Plant cell biology
  • Cytogenetics
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Vinblastine is a known antimitotic agent.
  • Understanding its effects on plant cell division is crucial for agricultural and toxicological applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the cellular effects of vinblastine on Vicia faba cells.
  • To compare the effects of vinblastine, lumicolchicine, and colchicine on plant cell division.

Main Methods:

  • Treatment of Vicia faba cells with vinblastine (10(-3)M) for 5 and 24 hours.
  • Microscopic observation of cellular structures, including spindle apparatus, plasma membranes, and cell walls.
  • Comparison with effects of lumicolchicine and colchicine.

Main Results:

  • Vinblastine induces spindle abnormalities (c-type metaphases, multipolar anaphases) and affects cell wall formation.
  • Prolonged vinblastine exposure severely damages plasma membranes, leading to myelinizations and lipid accumulation.
  • Lumicolchicine causes comparable but less severe effects; colchicine does not induce similar changes.
  • Both vinblastine and lumicolchicine lead to filament bundle formation, with differing cellular localization.

Conclusions:

  • Vinblastine profoundly disrupts microtubule organization and membrane integrity in Vicia faba cells.
  • The study highlights differential effects of vinblastine, lumicolchicine, and colchicine on plant cell division.
  • The nature of vinblastine-induced filament bundles remains to be elucidated.

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