The effect of cytochalasin B on the enucleation of erythroid cells in vitro.

The process of nuclear extrusion continues when erythroid cells of mouse spleen are placed in vitro, although the process may be considerably retarded. This allows visualization of unusually large numbers of enucleating cells after 30 min in vitro. With this system, the mechanism of enucleation can be analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. We have used this system to study the effects of cytochalasin B and have found it to be a potent inhibitor of enucleation. These results suggest that microfilaments are involved in the process of enucleation.