Disruption of the cytoskeleton with cytochalasin D induces c-fos gene expression.

The treatment of exponentially growing HeLa cells and quiescent WI-38 cells with cytochalasin D, which disrupts the cytoskeletal microfilaments, results in a rapid and marked increase in the transcription of the c-fos protooncogene with a concomitant increase in c-fos mRNA steady-state levels. Transcription of rRNA, HLA-B7, and H4 histone genes was not significantly affected by the drug treatment. These results suggest that the nucleus can respond to signals related to the structural organization of the cytoskeleton and selectively adjust the regulation of gene expression.