Cytoskeleton disturbances

Various findings together suggest that organotins may have an effect at the level of the cell membrane and/or cytoskeleton, resulting in disturbances of inter-and intracellular communication processes, which are of crucial importance to thymocyte maturation (Pieters et al., 1994a). 

Disturbances of the cytoskeleton, DNA replication, and DNA topoisomerase, or DNA alkylation and intercalation usually lead to cell death by apoptosis [18] (Table 1.2). The cytotoxic properties are usually not specific for animals but also affect bacteria, fungi, other plants, and even viruses. Alkaloids thus defend plants against a wide diversity of enemies. They have the disadvantage that a producing plant could theoretically kill itself by its own poison. Compartmentation, target-site insensitivity, and other mechanisms (which are largely unknown) must have evolved to overcome such problems. 

Intracellular transport of bile acids mainly takes place through the cytoskeleton and intracellular structures (Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum). Here, too, cholestatic factors can prove to be damaging. Microfilaments are contractile elements not only is the intracellular transport of the bile acids disturbed, but the peristaltic activity of the canaliculi (so-called paralytic cholestasis within the lolsules) is also reduced if the functional capacity of those microfilaments becomes diminished. 

If Ca is involved in wound-induced changes in polysome function, what processes might it modulate Among its many functions in animal tissues it causes destabilization of the cytoskeleton. In many animal tissues the cytoskeleton appears to be a major subcellular site for polysome attachment and disturbing this attachment disrupts polysome function, i.e., inhibits protein synthesis [13]. Such an occurrence could explain the rapid, massive inhibition of protein synthesis that occurs upon wounding. 

The tubulin system plays a key role during mitosis and disturbing its dynamic equilibrium can prevent cell division and induce apoptosis. Microtubules, dynamic protein polymers composed of a-tubulin and P-tubulin heterodimers, are major components of the cytoskeleton with an important role in variety of cellular functions. They have become well-established cellular targets for... 

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