Spindle poison

Spindle Poison

Spindle poison (pronunciation: /ˈspɪndl ˈpɔɪzən/) is a type of chemical compound that interferes with the mitotic spindle formation during cell division.

Etymology

The term "spindle" is derived from the Old English spinnel, referring to the spindle-shaped structure formed during cell division. The term "poison" comes from the Latin potionem, meaning a drink or potion, often used metaphorically to refer to harmful substances.

Function

Spindle poisons work by disrupting the formation of the mitotic spindle, a structure that is crucial for the separation of chromosomes during cell division. This disruption can lead to cell death or the formation of abnormal cells, which can contribute to the development of diseases such as cancer.

Types of Spindle Poisons

There are several types of spindle poisons, including colchicine, vinblastine, and paclitaxel. These compounds have different mechanisms of action, but all interfere with the formation of the mitotic spindle.

Colchicine

Colchicine is a naturally occurring compound that binds to tubulin, a protein that forms the mitotic spindle. By binding to tubulin, colchicine prevents the formation of the spindle, leading to cell death.

Vinblastine

Vinblastine is a chemotherapy drug that also binds to tubulin, preventing the formation of the mitotic spindle. Unlike colchicine, vinblastine is synthetic and is often used in the treatment of various types of cancer.

Paclitaxel

Paclitaxel is another chemotherapy drug that works by stabilizing the mitotic spindle rather than disrupting its formation. This prevents the spindle from functioning properly, leading to cell death.

Related Terms

• Mitotic spindle
• Cell division
• Chromosomes
• Cancer
• Colchicine
• Vinblastine
• Paclitaxel

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Spindle poison
• Wikipedia's article - Spindle poison

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