Absorptive cell of the Ascaris suum intestine

Where it participates (unsigned role)

1. In vitro incubation of Ascaris suum with 10 micromolar mebendazole resulted in a complete loss of colchicine binding ability of extracts obtained from the parasite intestine, the colchicine binding receptor in those extracts was identified biochemically as tubulin, and that protein comprised approximately 0.8% of the soluble intestinal protein.

   Mebendazole → Nematode beta-tubulin source_derived_draftungraded
   Experimental context and source evidence

   evidence_span

   {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/7335116.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "358adb37f881bf9fc64cf4cea24ce690792e958df702a705b2addda3295ad144", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1621, "text_sha256": "358adb37f881bf9fc64cf4cea24ce690792e958df702a705b2addda3295ad144"}

   experimental_model

   Colchicine and tritiated mebendazole binding to partially purified tubulin from Ascaris suum intestine and porcine brain

   exposure

   In vitro incubation of Ascaris suum with 10 micromolar mebendazole, with tubulin partially purified from the intestine

   limitations

   Measures the tissue mebendazole actually damages rather than embryonic tissue, and reaches the opposite conclusion about selectivity. Solubility prevented a precise association constant for mebendazole itself.

   nutrient_topic

   Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

   organism

   Nematode and pig

   plain_language

   In the gut of the worm, the drug wipes out the protein it is supposed to act on.

   primary_references

   [mbz-p7335116] Intestinal tubulin as possible target for the chemotherapeutic action of mebendazole in parasitic nematodes. (1981). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7335116/ DOI: 10.1016/0166-6851(81)90064-5

   tissue_or_cell_type

   Nematode intestinal tubulin and porcine brain tubulin

   Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 121–132

   AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Colchicine and tritiated mebendazole binding to partially purified tubulin from Ascaris suum intestine and porcine brain · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

   ### mbz-intestinal-tubulin-is-the-target In vitro incubation of Ascaris suum with 10 micromolar mebendazole resulted in a complete loss of colchicine binding ability of extracts obtained from the parasite intestine, the colchicine binding receptor in those extracts was identified biochemically as tubulin, and that protein comprised approximately 0.8% of the soluble intestinal protein. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: In the gut of the worm, the drug wipes out the protein it is supposed to act on. organism: Nematode and pig tissue_or_cell_type: Nematode intestinal tubulin and porcine brain tubulin experimental_model: Colchicine and tritiated mebendazole binding to partially purified tubulin from Ascaris suum intestine and porcine brain limitations: Measures the tissue mebendazole actually damages rather than embryonic tissue, and reaches the opposite conclusion about selectivity. Solubility prevented a precise association constant for mebendazole itself. exposure: In vitro incubation of Ascaris suum with 10 micromolar mebendazole, with tubulin partially purified from the intestine evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/7335116.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "358adb37f881bf9fc64cf4cea24ce690792e958df702a705b2addda3295ad144", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1621, "text_sha256": "358adb37f881bf9fc64cf4cea24ce690792e958df702a705b2addda3295ad144"} [mbz-p7335116] Intestinal tubulin as possible target for the chemotherapeutic action of mebendazole in parasitic nematodes. (1981). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7335116/ DOI: 10.1016/0166-6851(81)90064-5

   Complete structured claim and evidence

2. After 6 and 9 hours of treatment the characteristic changes in Ascaris suum intestinal cells were absence of secretory granules in the terminal web, accumulation of secretory granules in the Golgi region, formation of autophagic vacuoles in the apical cell part, and loss of glycogen, and cytochemistry revealed that the accumulated granules in the Golgi area contained glycoproteins or polysaccharides.

   Mebendazole → Transport of secretory granules to the terminal web source_derived_draftungraded
   Experimental context and source evidence

   evidence_span

   {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/1117352.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "e7cf1916636fe33e5b6ce6c22d84d2550adfd392b30b1b940f4c794b3069066f", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1554, "text_sha256": "e7cf1916636fe33e5b6ce6c22d84d2550adfd392b30b1b940f4c794b3069066f"}

   experimental_model

   Ultrastructural and cytochemical examination of Ascaris suum intestine from pigs fed medicated food

   exposure

   Mebendazole at 30 parts per million in pig feed, with parasites collected 6, 9, 15 and 24 hours after feeding began

   limitations

   The earliest mechanistic record here and still the clearest picture of the consequence. It predates the tubulin work and describes exactly what blocking microtubule-based transport would produce.

   nutrient_topic

   Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

   organism

   Nematode

   plain_language

   The cargo piles up where it is made and never arrives where it is needed.

   primary_references

   [mbz-p1117352] Ultrastructural changes in Ascaris suum intestine after mebendazole treatment in vivo. (1975). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1117352/ DOI: 10.2307/3279120

   tissue_or_cell_type

   Ascaris suum intestine

   Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 186–197

   AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Ultrastructural and cytochemical examination of Ascaris suum intestine from pigs fed medicated food · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

   ### mbz-secretory-transport-fails After 6 and 9 hours of treatment the characteristic changes in Ascaris suum intestinal cells were absence of secretory granules in the terminal web, accumulation of secretory granules in the Golgi region, formation of autophagic vacuoles in the apical cell part, and loss of glycogen, and cytochemistry revealed that the accumulated granules in the Golgi area contained glycoproteins or polysaccharides. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: The cargo piles up where it is made and never arrives where it is needed. organism: Nematode tissue_or_cell_type: Ascaris suum intestine experimental_model: Ultrastructural and cytochemical examination of Ascaris suum intestine from pigs fed medicated food limitations: The earliest mechanistic record here and still the clearest picture of the consequence. It predates the tubulin work and describes exactly what blocking microtubule-based transport would produce. exposure: Mebendazole at 30 parts per million in pig feed, with parasites collected 6, 9, 15 and 24 hours after feeding began evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/1117352.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "e7cf1916636fe33e5b6ce6c22d84d2550adfd392b30b1b940f4c794b3069066f", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1554, "text_sha256": "e7cf1916636fe33e5b6ce6c22d84d2550adfd392b30b1b940f4c794b3069066f"} [mbz-p1117352] Ultrastructural changes in Ascaris suum intestine after mebendazole treatment in vivo. (1975). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1117352/ DOI: 10.2307/3279120

   Complete structured claim and evidence

3. Degenerative changes were very pronounced after 15 and 24 hours and involved almost the entire cytoplasm, microvilli were decreased in number and appeared swollen in the majority of absorptive cells with some cells completely devoid of microvilli, and acid phosphatase activity moved from microvilli, lysosomes and Golgi apparatus into numerous autophagic vacuoles while the accumulated secretory granules remained unstained.

   Mebendazole → Integrity and number of intestinal microvilli source_derived_draftungraded
   Experimental context and source evidence

   evidence_span

   {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/1117352.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "e7cf1916636fe33e5b6ce6c22d84d2550adfd392b30b1b940f4c794b3069066f", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1554, "text_sha256": "e7cf1916636fe33e5b6ce6c22d84d2550adfd392b30b1b940f4c794b3069066f"}

   experimental_model

   Ultrastructural and cytochemical examination of Ascaris suum intestine from pigs fed medicated food

   exposure

   Mebendazole at 30 parts per million in pig feed, with parasites collected 6, 9, 15 and 24 hours after feeding began

   limitations

   The earliest mechanistic record here and still the clearest picture of the consequence. It predates the tubulin work and describes exactly what blocking microtubule-based transport would produce.

   nutrient_topic

   Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

   organism

   Nematode

   plain_language

   Within a day the absorbing surface of the worm’s gut is destroyed.

   primary_references

   [mbz-p1117352] Ultrastructural changes in Ascaris suum intestine after mebendazole treatment in vivo. (1975). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1117352/ DOI: 10.2307/3279120

   tissue_or_cell_type

   Ascaris suum intestine

   Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 199–210

   AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Ultrastructural and cytochemical examination of Ascaris suum intestine from pigs fed medicated food · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

   ### mbz-the-gut-cell-dies Degenerative changes were very pronounced after 15 and 24 hours and involved almost the entire cytoplasm, microvilli were decreased in number and appeared swollen in the majority of absorptive cells with some cells completely devoid of microvilli, and acid phosphatase activity moved from microvilli, lysosomes and Golgi apparatus into numerous autophagic vacuoles while the accumulated secretory granules remained unstained. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: Within a day the absorbing surface of the worm’s gut is destroyed. organism: Nematode tissue_or_cell_type: Ascaris suum intestine experimental_model: Ultrastructural and cytochemical examination of Ascaris suum intestine from pigs fed medicated food limitations: The earliest mechanistic record here and still the clearest picture of the consequence. It predates the tubulin work and describes exactly what blocking microtubule-based transport would produce. exposure: Mebendazole at 30 parts per million in pig feed, with parasites collected 6, 9, 15 and 24 hours after feeding began evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/1117352.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "e7cf1916636fe33e5b6ce6c22d84d2550adfd392b30b1b940f4c794b3069066f", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1554, "text_sha256": "e7cf1916636fe33e5b6ce6c22d84d2550adfd392b30b1b940f4c794b3069066f"} [mbz-p1117352] Ultrastructural changes in Ascaris suum intestine after mebendazole treatment in vivo. (1975). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1117352/ DOI: 10.2307/3279120

   Complete structured claim and evidence