How does colchicine affect cells?

Colchicine exerts a toxic effect on living cells which commonly results in the arrest of the process of mitosis at an early stage, usually the metaphase, with the production of bizarre and abnormal nuclear configurations, and frequently leading to cell death.

How does colchicine affect metaphase?

At higher concentrations, cells at metaphase were blocked immediately after the addition of colchicine. At lower concentrations, the prophase cells were more sensitive and were blocked while those in metaphase and anaphase completed mitosis. Colchicine at a concentration of 50nM blocks almost all the cells at mitosis.

What effect did the drug colchicine have on the process of mitosis?

Colchicine is a classical anti-mitotic drug which blocks mitotic cells in metaphase. It binds to soluble tubulin to form tubulin-colchicine complexes in a poorly reversible manner, which then binds to the ends of microtubules to prevent the elongation of the microtubule polymer.

How does colchicine cause mutation to cells?

Colchicine is an important mutagen that works by preventing the microtubules formation and doubles the number of chromosomes. It is commonly used to develop polyploid plants and functions as a mitotic poison by producing many mutagenic effects on plants [28].

What does colchicine do in neurons?

Colchicine provokes an increase in dense-cored vesicles in most of the neurons of the other hypothalamic nuclei studied: arcuate, suprachiasmatic, periventricular and ventromedial. Membranous alterations are also observed in these sites.

How does colchicine affect white blood cells?

Colchicine can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting.

How does colchicine work in cells and why is it useful for metaphase spreads?

When colchicine binds tubulin, it prevents spindle formation and halts dividing cells in metaphase.

What is the action of colchicine?

Colchicine works by decreasing swelling and lessening the build up of uric acid crystals that cause pain in the affected joint(s). This medication is also used to prevent attacks of pain in the abdomen, chest, or joints caused by a certain inherited disease (familial Mediterranean fever).

What will happen if diploid cell is treated with colchicine?

Triploid.

What happens when colchicine is added in haploid cells during diploid condition?

Colchicine is an alkaloid extracted from seed and corm of Colchicum autumnale. It has the property of arresting and breaking the spindle so that a cell division without cell wall formation may be affected leading to doubling of chromosome number. So a diploid cell will become tetraploid by chromosome doubling.

What is the use of colchicine?

About colchicine Colchicine is a medicine for treating inflammation and pain. It can be used to: treat flare-ups (attacks) of gout. prevent increased flare-ups of gout when you first start on a medicine like allopurinol – taken to manage your condition long term.

What is the function of colchicine?

Colchicine is used to prevent gout attacks (sudden, severe pain in one or more joints caused by abnormally high levels of a substance called uric acid in the blood) in adults. Colchicine (Colcrys) is also used to relieve the pain of gout attacks when they occur.