Application

Demecolcine has been used as a microtubule depolymerizing agent. It has also been used to inhibit mitotic division.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Often in karyotyping and cell cycle research it is desirable to increase the yield of mitotic cells in a particular phase of the cell cycle. This can be achieved in a variety of ways with the most popular being the use of a cell cycle synchronizing agent such as demecolcine. Demecolcine will arrest cells in metaphase with no remarkable effect on the biochemical events in mitotic cells or in synchronized G₁ and S phase cells. White blood cells are often treated with demecolcine to arrest cells in metaphase.

Packaging

Bottomless glass bottle. Contents are inside inserted fused cone.