Fast transport of neurofilament protein along microtubules in squid axoplasm

• DOI: 10.1242/jcs.113.22.3939
• Publication Date: 2021-04-25T18:28:18Z
• Authors: Veena Prahlad; Brian T. Helfand; George M. Langford; Ron D. Vale; Robert D. Goldman
• Keywords: Axoplasm; Neurofilament; Axoplasmic transport; Kinesin; Squid giant axon; Dynactin; Microtubule-associated protein

ABSTRACT Using squid axoplasm as a model system, we have visualized the fast transport of non-filamentous neurofilament protein particles along axonal microtubules. This occurs at speeds 0.5-1.0 μm/second and majority stain with kinesin antibody. These observations demonstrate, for first time, that (0.5-1.0 μm/second) proteins In addition, our studies suggest can be transported non-membrane bound, nonfilamentous subunits axons, is kinesin-dependent. Microtubule-based might therefore provide mechanism distribution turnover neurofilament, perhaps other cytoskeletal proteins, throughout neurons.