Relationship of light scatter change and Cdc42‐regulated actin status

Background Cdc42 GTPase has important roles in regulating intracellular actin reorganization. The current methods to monitor actin changes are typically complex and point by point. Methods The effects of Cdc42 inhibitors on the side scatter changes were tested in a newly developed continuous assay using the flow cytometer. Staining with fluorescently labeled phalloidin was used for comparison. Results Cdc42-specific inhibitors caused dose-dependent changes of both the right-angle side scatter and the phalloidin-stained actin. Conclusions The right-angle light scatter change can be used as a method to circumvent phalloidin staining and be an early convenient step in screening Cdc42 inhibitors. © 2015 International Clinical Cytometry Society