Which specific structure does Taxol affect?

Taxol, an effective anticancer drug, binds stoichiometrically and specifically to the β-tubulin subunit in microtubules (4) (see Fig. 5, which is published as supporting information on the PNAS web site). The resulting microtubules are stable and resist depolymerization by Ca2+, cold temperature, and dilution (5).

What does Taxol interfere with?

The concentration of taxol that suppressed dynamics in interphase cells was also found to inhibit cell proliferation and block mitosis by preventing progression from metaphase to anaphase.

What effect would you expect Taxol to have on cell division?

Taxol stops the uncontrolled cell divisions of cancer by forming extremely stable and nonfunctional microtubules. The microtubules are the means of chromosome motion during mitosis (cell division). Mitosis is halted when the stable, nonfunctional microtubules fail to form a normal mitotic apparatus.

What does paclitaxel specifically affect?

It is used off-label to treat gastroesophageal, endometrial, cervical, prostate, and head and neck cancers, in addition to sarcoma, lymphoma, and leukemia. Paclitaxel has long been recognized to induce mitotic arrest, which leads to cell death in a subset of the arrested population.

How does Taxol work and what are the side effects?

How Taxol Works: The “normal” cells will grow back and be healthy but in the meantime, side effects occur. The “normal” cells most commonly affected by chemotherapy are the blood cells, the cells in the mouth, stomach and bowel, and the hair follicles; resulting in low blood counts, mouth sores, nausea, diarrhea, and/or hair loss.

How does Taxol affect the formation of microtubules?

In animal cells, Taxol disrupts microtubule formation by binding to microtubules and accelerating their assembly from the protein precursor, tubulin. Surprisingly, this stops mitosis. Specifically, Taxol must affect

What does Taxol do to the mitotic spindle?

A) the formation of the mitotic spindle. Taxol is an anticancer drug extracted from the Pacific yew tree. In animal cells, Taxol disrupts microtubule formation by binding to microtubules and accelerating their assembly from the protein precursor, tubulin. Surprisingly, this stops mitosis.

Is it possible to dissolve Taxol in water?

Taxol is given into a vein, but in order for the body to absorb the drug, it must first be dissolved in a solution. Taxol’s history began fourty-three years ago. It was found to be virtually insoluble in water. It had the solubility of a brick. The compound wouldn’t dissolve very much in any solution.