In vitro migraton of Walker 256 carcinosarcoma cells: dependence on microtubule and microfilament function.

Walker 256 carcinosarcoma cells have been shown to respond in vitro to two chemotactic factors: one derived from the trypsinized fifth component of complement, and the other derived from resorbing bone. The effects of inhibited microtubule and microfilament function on the ability of tumor cells to uindergo both random and directed migration in response to these factors were examined. Directed tumor cell migration was inhibited by colchicine and vinblastine, agents that interfere with microtubule assembly., Lumicolchicine, a structural analog of colchicine that does not bind to microtubules, did not inhibit tumor cell migration. Cytochalasin B, which interferes with microfilament function, also inhibited tumor cell migration in vitro. Colchicine inhibited random or spontaneous cell movement as well as directed migration. These experiments indicated that random and directed tumor cell migrations were dependent on microtubules and microfilaments, and interference with the function of these subcellular organelles inhibited tumor cell movement.