Using a new fixation solution, CytoSkelFix, it is now possible to obtain superior fixation and thus resolution of cytoskeletal components using immunofluorescence and fluorescence microscopy. This fixative combines rapid cell penetration and cellular crosslinking of proteins such that both preservation and resolution of cellular proteins can be detected. The cytoskeleton has proven very difficult to preserve, partly because of the lability of one of the filament systems (microtubules), and one single fixative is incapable of properly preserving microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments for localization in the same cell. Further, the motor proteins associated with the cytoskeletal elements are even more difficult to preserve, particularly simultaneously with the fiber system with which they associate. We present evidence that CytoSkelFix is a superior preservative and would be useful in fixation for all types of immunofluorescence colocalization studies where superior preservation is required.

The enzymes of importance in moving chromosomes are called motor proteins and include dynein, kinesin, and possibly myosin II. These three molecules are all included in the category of ATPases, in that they have the ability to convert chemical energy into mechanical energy. Both dynein and kinesin have been documented as molecules that "walk" along microtubules in the mitotic spindle, carrying cargo such as chromosomes. Myosin II, analogous to the muscle contraction system, transiently interacts along actin filaments and associates with kinetochore microtubules. In this paper we present evidence that a third ATPase, myosin II, may act as a "thruster" to propel chromosomes during the mitotic process. Double-label immunocytochemistry to actin and myosin II shows that myosin II is localized on chromosome arms at the beginning of mitosis and remains localized to the chromosomes throughout mitosis. Specific staining of myosin II is relegated to the outside of chromosomes with the highest density of staining occurring between the spindle poles and the chromosomes. This specific localization could account for the movement of chromosomes during mitosis, since they segregate towards the spindle poles, along kinetochore microtubules containing actin filaments, after aligning at the equatorial region of the cell at metaphase. We conclude from this study that there is an actomyosin system present in the mitotic spindle and that myosin is attached to chromosome arms and may act as a thruster in moving chromosomes during the mitotic process.

In this study we extend our analysis of the effect of Cytochalasin J (CJ) on mitotic and interphase cells by the use of immunocytochemical techniques to localize antigens to anti-beta-tubulin, anti-dynein heavy chain (HC), anti-dynein intermediate chain (IC), and anti-kinesin antibodies following CJ treatment. Anti-dynein IC and HC staining of CJ treated cells showed a significant reduction in anti-dynein staining in the nuclear region of interphase cells. Monolayer cultures of PtK(1)cells treated with 10 microg/ml CJ for 10 min showed a significant reduction in pixel luminosity of fluorescence staining using anti-dynein IC and HC antibodies (P<0.05). Cytochalasin J treatment reorganized anti-dynein staining from a cytoplasmic punctate staining with greatest intensity in the perinuclear region, to a more uniform staining throughout the cytoplasm.

Motor proteins play a fundamental role in the congression and segregation of chromosomes in mitosis as well as the formation of the mitotic spindle. In particular, the dynein/dynactin complex is involved in the maintenance of the spindle, formation of astral microtubules, chromosome motion, and chromosome segregation. Dynactin is a multisubunit, high molecular weight protein that is responsible for the attachment of cargo to dynein. There are a number of major subunits in dynactin that are presumed to be important during mitosis. Arp1 is thought to be the attachment site for cargo to the complex while p150(Glued), a side arm of this complex regulates binding to MTs and the binding of dynactin to dynein. We performed colocalization studies of Arp1 and p150(Glued) to spindle microtubules. Both Arp1 and p150(Glued) colocalize with spindle MTs as well as cytoplasmic components. When treated with cytochalasin J, Arp1 concentrates at the centrosomes and is less co-localized with spindle MTs. Cytochalasin J has less of an effect on the colocalization of p150(Glued) with spindle MTs, suggesting that Arp1 may have a cytochalasin J sensitive site.