"Pseudo-cap" formation in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells induced by cytochalasin B

Cytochalasin B (CB) treatment induces or accelerates the capping phenomenon in some cells. In Ehrlich ascites tumor cells (EATC) CB treatment apparently induced the capping of Con A binding sites as observed under a fluorescent microscope. However, electron microscopic examinations revealed that the CB treatment did not induce a rearrangement of Con A binding sites, but rather it only induced a change in cell shape. On the contrary, CB treatment inhibited the capping phenomenon induced by treatment with Con A. Electron microscopic observations may give exact information on the distribution of lectin binding sites.