The Cytological Effects of Podophyllin

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Abstract
Young growing root tips of Allium cepa were immersed in a satd. aqueous soln. of podophyllin, and maximal results were produced in 2 hrs. Typical resting stage and prophase figures were observed in smear prepns. Pronounced cytological effects were produced in late prophase, and the spindle mechanism was evidently impaired, since no orientation of the chromosomes on the metaphase plate was seen. The chromosomes were dispersed. Metaphase chromosomes were in the form of typical diplochromosomes; sister chromatids held together at the spindle attachment region, with slightly contracted arms which have become disengaged from the relational coil. There was an increase in the number of mitotic figures up to metaphase, and a decrease and then complete absence of anaphase and telophase figures. Because of its similarity to colchicine, podophyllin may prove valuable in the role played by colchicine in cytological research.