Abstract
In this study we investigated biological activity of ferulenol, a prenylated 4-hydroxycoumarin from Ferula communis. Ferulenol stimulates tubulin polymerization in vitro, and inhibits the binding of radiolabeled colchicine to tubulin. It rearranges cellular microtubule network into short fibres, and alters nuclear morphology. Remarkably, ferulenol exerts a dose-dependent cytotoxic activity against various human tumor cell lines.
Abbreviations
DAPI:4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole
DMEM:Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium
EGTA:ethylenebis(oxyethylenenitrilo)tetraacetic acid
FBS:fetal bovine serum
FITC:fluoresceine isothiocyanate
GTP:guanosine 5′-triphosphate
MES:2-[N-morpholino]ethane-sulfonic acid
MTP:microtubule protein
SDS:sodium dodecyl sulfate
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Claudia Bocca
Department of Experimental Medicine and Oncology, University of Torino
Corso Raffaello 30
10125 Torino
Italy
Telefon: +39-0116707751
Fax: +39-0116707753
eMail: claudia.bocca@unito.it
