Latr~ncul~n A, a toxin purified from the red sea sponge ~irun~~~~a rn~g~~~c~, was found previously to induce striking reversible changes in the morphology of mammalian cells in culture and to disrupt the organization of their m~cro~laments. We now provide evidence that latrunc~lin A affects the polymerization of pure actm in vitro in a manner consistent with the format~oa of a 1: 1 molar complex between latruneulin A and G-actin. The equilibrium dissociation constant (&) for the reaction in vitro is about 0.2 !tM whereas the effects of the drug on cultured cells are detectable at concentrations in the medium of 0.1-l ph4.
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