Effect of psychotropic preparations on the properties of tubulin in the brain

: Neuroleptics (chlorpromazine, triftazin, haloperidol) inhibited the tubulin polymerization on supernatant of rat brain proteins in vivo at concentrations which corresponded to the therapeutic ones. The electron microscope studies demonstrated that these drugs inhibited the assembly of tubulin in microtubules. As this effect was the same in vivo and in vitro, it was considered specific. Colchicine-binding capacity of tubulin was suppressed only at higher doses of tranquilizers (250 microM). Antidepressant drug melipramine inhibited neither tubulin polymerization in vivo nor its colchicine-binding activity in vivo or in vitro.