A simple method for the identification of compounds which inhibit tubulin polymerization in filarial worms.

ABSTRACT

The incubation in vitro of excised ovaries of Dirofilaria immits in medium containing mebendazole between 10(-5) and 10(-8) M for four or six hours results in the accumulation of up to 20% of oogonial cells in arrested mitotic metaphase. In aceto-orcein-stained squashes of the tissue, cells possess condensed chromosomes but no detectable spindle microtubules. Similar results were obtained with colchicine, but the lowest effective concentration of this drug was 10(-7) M. This procedure affords a simple and rapid method for detecting compounds capable of inhibiting tubulin polymerization in filarial worms.