Levuglandin E2 inhibits mitosis and microtubule assembly

Levuglandin E₂ (LGE₂) is a γ-keto aldehyde produced by rearrangement of the prostaglandin endoperoxide PGH₂ under the aqueous conditions of its biosynthesis. We show that exogenous LGE₂ enters cells and efficiently inhibits the first synchronous cell division of fertilized sea urchin eggs. We attribute this inhibition to covalent modification of tubulin and thereby to inhibition of microtubule assembly.