[Abstract]  [Full Text]  [PDF]

Hiroshi Y. Yamada^1* and Gary J. Gorbsky¹

¹ Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. Oklahoma City, OK, 73104-5097. USA.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed: Hiroshi Y. Yamada, Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. MS48, 825 NE 13th St., Oklahoma City, OK, 73104-5097. USA. Phone: 1-405-271-2037. Fax: 1-405-271-7312. Email: Hiroshi-yamada@omrf.ouhsc.edu

Biol. Proced. Online 2006;8:36-43. doi:10.1251/bpo116
Submitted: February 13, 2006; Accepted: March 03, 2006; Published: April 10, 2006.

Indexing terms: Microtubules; Mitosis; Cell Death; Nocodazole.

Microtubule inhibitors such as Vinblastine and Paclitaxel are chemotherapy agents that activate the mitotic spindle checkpoint, arresting cells in mitosis and leading to cell death. The pathways that connect mitotic arrest to cell death are not well characterized. We developed a mammalian cell-based cDNA cloning method to isolate proteins and protein fragments whose expression inhibits colony formation in the presence of microtubule inhibitors. Understanding how these proteins impact cellular responses to microtubule drugs will lead to better understanding of the biochemical pathways connecting mitotic arrest and cell death in mammalian cells and may provide novel targets that can enhance microtubule inhibitor-mediated chemotherapy.