Herbicide Interference with Microtubule Structure and Function

Herbicide Interference with Microtubule Structure and Function 

The intention here is to summarize just the major findings of this research that provide evidence concerning the target site of these herbicides. 

Cytological effects of dinitroanilines, pronamide, and amiprophos-methyl, manifested by an absence of MTs in treated tissues, suggest inhibition of tubulin synthesis or tubulin polymerization. Several studies with isolated pig brain tubulin have shown that these herbicides do not prevent tubulin polymerization (see, e.g.. Ref. 112). It was concluded that trifluralin, oryzalin, pronamide, and propham did not act in the same manner as the 

The presence of disorientated MTs in tissues treated with propham led to the proposal that its target site was located at the level of MTOCs. The increased sensitivity to N-phenylcarbamates exhibited by dinitroani-line-resistant /eudnc suggests different target sites for the two herbicide classes. This was the concensus view in previous reviews, and little further information has since been published to provide details on any mechanism of N-phenylcarbamate action. 

Chlorthal-methyl has been suggested as a disrupter of MT organization although no information on any mechanism has been presented.  

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