Inhibitory effect of cytochalasin H on cell reaggregation of the fresh water sponge, Ephydatia meyeni Carter.

Cytochalasin H (CH) has been shown to inhibit the reaggregation of dissociated cells of a fresh water sponge. The effect is dose-dependent and reversible. Even after 24 h of CH treatment, the cells show the formation of pseudopodia suggesting that the effect of CH may not be due to arrested cell motility. Exogenously added alpha-D-glucosamine, a precursor of complex carbohydrates, brings about reaggregation of CH-treated cells. Fluorescent Con A binding, both patching and capping, is shown by untreated as well as CH-treated cells. It is likely that CH, like cytochalasin B, may interfere with the production, release or binding of carbohydrate-containing macromolecules important in cell aggregation.