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Diazepam induces mitotic arrest at prometaphase by inhibiting centriolar separation

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Abstract

We report here that we have found an accumulation of condensed mitotic figures in cultures of various human haematopoietic cell lines treated with diazepam (40–80 µg ml−1). The mode of mitosis arresting activity of diazepam was analysed with cultured human fibroblasts. Unlike conventional anti-mitotic drugs, diazepam did not affect the microtubular integrity at the concentrations used. Instead, it seems to block mitosis by inhibiting the deviation of centrioles in the prometaphase.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Transplantation Laboratory, University of Helsinki, SF 00290, Helsinki, 29, Finland

    Leif C. Andersson

  2. Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki, SF 00290, Helsinki, 29, Finland

    Leif C. Andersson, Veli-Pekka Lehto, Svante Stenman & Ismo Virtanen

  3. Unilever Research Laboratories, Colworth House, Sharnbrook, Bedford, MK44 1LO, UK

    R. Andrew Badley

Authors
  1. Leif C. Andersson
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  2. Veli-Pekka Lehto
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  3. Svante Stenman
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  4. R. Andrew Badley
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  5. Ismo Virtanen
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Andersson, L., Lehto, VP., Stenman, S. et al. Diazepam induces mitotic arrest at prometaphase by inhibiting centriolar separation. Nature 291, 247–248 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1038/291247a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/291247a0

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