Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 1976 Feb;68(2):395-402.
doi: 10.1083/jcb.68.2.395.

Effects of local anesthetics on cell morphology and membrane-associated cytoskeletal organization in BALB/3T3 cells

G L Nicolson, J R Smith, G Poste

Effects of local anesthetics on cell morphology and membrane-associated cytoskeletal organization in BALB/3T3 cells

G L Nicolson et al. J Cell Biol. 1976 Feb.

Abstract

Tertiary amine local anesthetics (dibucaine, tetracaine, procaine) reversibly affect the morphology of untransformed BALB/3T3 cells and the organization of membrane-associated cytoskeletal elements. In the presence of these drugs cells contract and become rounded in shape with the appearance of numerous surface "blebs." Electron microscope examination of anesthetic-treated cells revealed significant reductions in plasma membrane-associated microtubules and microfilaments and/or their plasma membrane attachment. The relationship of the findings on local anesthetic-induced changes in cellular cytoskeletal systems is discussed in relation to previous proposals on plasma membrane organization and control of cell surface receptor topography and mobility.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. J Cell Biol. 1975 Mar;64(3):644-67 - PubMed
    1. Acta Pharmacol Toxicol (Copenh). 1954;10(4):325-37 - PubMed
    1. J Cell Physiol. 1975 Apr;85(2 Pt 1):189-93 - PubMed
    1. Nature. 1975 Feb 13;253(5492):552-4 - PubMed
    1. Lancet. 1968 Dec 21;2(7582):1326-9 - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms