Myoseverin, a microtubule-binding molecule with novel cellular effects

A new microtubule-binding molecule, myoseverin, was identified from a libra ry of 2,6,9-trisubstituted purines in a morphological differentiation scree n. Myoseverin induces the reversible fission of multinucleated myotubes int o mononucleated fragments. Myotube fission promotes DNA synthesis and cell proliferation after removal of the compound and transfer of the cells to fr esh growth medium. Transcriptional profiling and biochemical analysis indic ate that myoseverin alone does not reverse the biochemical differentiation process. Instead, myoseverin affects the expression of a variety of growth factor, immunomodulatory, extracellular matrix-remodeling, and stress respo nse genes, consistent with the activation of pathways involved in wound hee ling and tissue regeneration.