Cited by 64Microtubule and mitosis dynamicsGarlic and Onion StudiesSynthesis and biological activity

Allicin inhibits cell polarization, migration and division via its direct effect on microtubules

Prager‐Khoutorsky, Masha, Goncharov, Igor, Rabinkov, Aharon, Mirelman, David, Geiger, Benjamin, Bershadsky, Alexander D.·2007·Cell Motility

Abstract

Allicin (diallyl thiosulfinate) is a major biologically active component of garlic that is known to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. The effects of allicin are attributed to its ability to react with thiol groups. However, the mechanism underlying the cytostatic activity of allicin, as well as the identity of the relevant subcellular targets, are not known. In the present study, we found that the effects of allicin on cell polarization, migration, and mitosis are similar to the effects of microtubule‐depolymerizing drugs such as nocodazole. Moreover, treatment of cultured fibroblasts with micromolar doses of allicin results in microtubule depolymerization in cells within minutes of its application, without disrupting the actin cytoskeleton or inducing direct cytotoxic effects. Furthermore, allicin blocks the polymerization of pure tubulin in vitro in a concentration‐dependent manner, suggesting that it acts directly on tubulin dimers. Sulfhydryl (SH)‐reducing reagents such as 2‐mercaptoethanol and dithiothreitol abolish the effect of allicin on microtubule polymerization. Thus, allicin is a potent microtubule‐disrupting reagent interfering with tubulin polymerization by reaction with tubulin SH groups. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

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Crossref · 10.1002/cm.20185

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Authors
Prager‐Khoutorsky, M., Goncharov, I., Rabinkov, A., Mirelman, D., Geiger, B., & Bershadsky, A. D.
Affiliations
Weizmann Institute of Science (IL)
Corresponding author
Bershadsky, Alexander D.
Venue
Cell Motility
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2007-02-23
Volume
64
Issue
5
Pages
321-337
ISSN
0886-1544 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W1974033128
Cited by
64
References
81
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 4
FWCI
2.20
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Cell Motility and the Cytoskeleton (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (5u54gm064346-10)
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences (U54 GM 64346)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Microtubule and mitosis dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Garlic and Onion Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Organic Chemistry › Synthesis and biological activity
Keywords
allicin, garlic, microtubule depolymerization, tubulin polymerization inhibition, cell polarization, cell migration, mitosis, sulfhydryl groups, cytostatic activity, fibroblasts, nocodazole
MeSH terms
Actins, Animals, Antineoplastic Agents, Cell Division, Cell Movement, Cytoskeleton, Disulfides, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Fibroblasts, Fluorescent Dyes, Garlic, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted, Indoles, Microscopy, Fluorescence, Microtubules, Sulfinic Acids, Tubulin, Nocodazole, Cell Polarity, Microscopy, Video, Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect, NIH 3T3 Cells, Mice

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