Normal bipolar spindle (top), with immunofluorescence-stained chromosomes (blue) aligned in middle, forms in control cells undergoing mitosis. In mitotic cells treated with the potential anticancer agent monastrol (bottom), spindle becomes ringlike, or &amp;#8220;monastral,&amp;#8221; and cell division is blocked.
&quot;Using a collection of small molecules and a clever screening strategy, Harvard researchers have identified a potential anticancer agent called monastrol that blocks cell division (mitosis) by inhibiting a new target&mdash;a motor protein called Eg5. The study could lead not only to a novel class of anticancer drugs, but also to a better fundamental understanding of the mechanism of mitosis.&quot; -Stu Borman
Anticancer Research Pans Out
Chemical &amp;amp; Engineering News, November 1, 1999 [pdf]