Question

Taxol, a plant alkaloid originally found in yew trees, is an anticancer drug. How does Taxol prevent cell division?

1) Taxol prevents actin filament depolymerization, halting mitosis.
2) Taxol prevents microtubule polymerization, halting DNA replication.
3) Taxol prevents actin filament polymerization, halting mitosis.
4) Taxol stabilizes intermediate filaments of the nuclear lamina, preventing nucleus breakdown during mitosis.
5) Taxol prevents microtubule depolymerization, halting mitosis.

Answer 1

Taxol prevents cell division by preventing microtubule depolymerization, which halts mitosis.

Step-by-step explanation:

Taxol prevents cell division by preventing microtubule depolymerization, which halts mitosis. Unlike other microtubule antagonists, Taxol shifts the equilibrium between free tubulin and microtubules towards assembly rather than disassembly. This leads to the stabilization of microtubules, as well as the formation of abnormal bundles of microtubules, ultimately disrupting mitosis.