Cytochalasin B

May 12, 2015
Image of Cytochalasin B 3D Image of Cytochalasin B

Cytochalasin B is a mycotoxin that penetrates cell walls and inhibits several cellular processes. In 1967, W. B. Turner isolated it from the fungus Helminthosporium dematioideum.  That same year, D. C. Aldridge and co-workers reported its structure. Since then, researchers discovered that its inhibition activity ranges from glucose transport to network formation by actin filaments. Because of its many cytological properties, cytochalasin B is frequently used in cell research.

I. Sokolov and colleagues at Tufts University (Medford, MA) and four other institutions report the latest cytochalasin B findings. In 2006, Sokolov’s group showed that it can restore elasticity to mouse skin cells. Then, earlier this year, they found that it also shrinks skin cells of older mice, making the skin smoother. Despite it toxicity, it showed no adverse effects on skin or elsewhere in the body.

Sokolov and his team plan to test cytochalasin B creams on human skin in the near future.

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