COLCEMID

General description

Colcemid is also known as demecolcine. Its generic name is N-methyl-N-deacetyl-colchicine. Colcemid depolymerizes microtubules and blocks mitosis at metaphase.

Application

Colcemid inhibits the formation of mitotic spindles. It is used to increase the percentage of metaphase cells for chromosome analysis.

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.

Physical form

Solution (10 μg/ml), filtered through 0.2 μm pore size membrane.

Other Notes

For life science research only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.