Effect of latrunculin-A on morphology and actin-associated adhesionsof cultured human trabecular meshwork cells

[摘要] Purpose: Determine the effects of the actin cytoskeleton disruptingcompound latrunculin-A (LAT-A) on morphology, cytoskeleton, and cellularadhesions of cultured human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells.Methods: HTM cells were cultured to high confluence withendothelial-like morphology and treated with LAT-A at different dosesand duration. Topography of living cells was evaluated byvideomicroscopy. Distribution and organization of the actin-basedcytoskeleton, vinculin- and paxillin-containing focal contacts, andb-catenin-rich intercellular adhesions weredetermined by immunofluorescence and digital microscopy.Results: LAT-A induced pronounced but highly reversible rounding ofHTM cells, intercellular separation, and disruption of actin filaments.b-catenin-rich intercellular adheren junctionswere particularly sensitive to LAT-A. Vinculin- and paxillin-containingfocal contacts were only partially affected and appeared to be moreresistant to the drug than the intercellular interactions.Conclusions: The increase in outflow facility in the living primateeye induced by LAT-A may be due to the disorganization anddisruption of the actin cytoskeleton and its associated cellularadhesions in the trabecular meshwork.

[学科分类] 生物化学/生物物理