Bromocolchicine as a Label for Tubulin

Microtubules are found in all eukaryotic cells, wherein they participate in a wide variety of functions including mitosis, cell shaping, secretion, motility, axonal growth, and transport. Microtubules are polymers of a protein called tubulin, which is itself a dimer composed of two similar but not identical subunits (α, β), each of molecular weight 55,000. Drugs, such as colchicine, that inhibit mitosis and axonal function through disruption of microtubules have been shown to interact in vitro with tubulin isolated from several sources. This chapter aims at developing an account for precise localization and properties of these drug receptors would contribute to the better understanding of the mechanism of tubulin assembly to form microtubules. The chapter outlines the synthesis, of Bromoacetyl-N-hydroxysuccinimide. It also explains the synthesis of Synthesis of Bromotrimethylcolchicinic Acid. Analysis and Quantitation of the Proteins Labeled with [³H]Bromocolchicine, and Binding of [³H]Bromocolchieine to Brain Extracts and Tubulin Purified by Self-Assembly.