Microtubule-Interacting Activity and Cytotoxicity of the Prenylated Coumarin Ferulenol

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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