demecolcine

Demecolcine is a small molecule antimitotic agent and colchicine analog used primarily in research and cytogenetics, with some historical use in chemotherapy. It acts by binding to the colchicine-binding site of tubulin, inhibiting microtubule polymerization, which leads to cell cycle arrest at metaphase and prevents cell division. At low concentrations, it suppresses microtubule dynamics by binding to the plus end of microtubules; at higher concentrations, it promotes detachment of microtubules from the organizing center, leading to depolymerization. This mechanism makes it useful for synchronizing cells in metaphase for karyotyping or chromosome analysis. Medically, demecolcine has been used experimentally to enhance cancer radiotherapy outcomes by synchronizing tumor cells at their most radiosensitive phase. It is also widely used in animal cloning procedures for enucleation of oocytes[1][3][5][6][7].

Brand names

Colcemid

Other names

demecolcinacolcemid