Taxol, a microtubule stabilizing agent, blocks the replication of Trypanosoma cruzi

S. G. Baum, M. Wittner, J. P. Nadler, S. B. Horwitz, J. E. Dennis, P. B. Schiff, H. B. Tanowitz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

86 Scopus citations

Abstract

Taxol, an experimental antitumor agent and stabilizer of microtubules, inhibits in vitro replication of the human pathogenic hemoflagellate Trypanosoma cruzi. Micromolar concentrations of the drug prevent the completion of cell division in these organisms but allow the multiplication of cell organelles such as the nucleus, kinetoplast, and flagellum. The result is the formation of motile organisms that have extra organelles but cannot fully replicate. Division proceeds to a relatively fixed locus on the long axis of the organism, suggesting the presence of a specific affected structure or function at this site. It is postulated that taxol produces these effects by stabilizing a portion of the microtubular cytoskeleton of T. cruzi.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4571-4575
Number of pages5
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume78
Issue number7 I
DOIs
StatePublished - 1981

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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