Microtubule transport in the axon: Re-thinking a potential role for the actin cytoskeleton

The Neuroscientist : a Review Journal Bringing Neurobiology, Neurology and Psychiatry
Kenneth A MyersPeter W Baas

Abstract

Microtubules are transported down the axon as short pieces by molecular motor proteins. One popular idea is that these microtubules are transported by forces generated against the actin cytoskeleton. The motor for such transport is thought to be cytoplasmic dynein. Here, the authors review this model and discuss recent studies that sought to test it. These studies suggest that the model is valid but incomplete. Microtubule transport is bidirectional and can utilize either actin filaments or longer microtubules as a substrate in the anterograde direction but only longer microtubules in the retrograde direction. Cytoplasmic dynein is one participating motor but not the only one. The authors speculate that the category of anterograde microtubule transport that involves actin filaments may have specialized functions. The relevant forces that transport short microtubules may also be crucial for the manner by which the longer immobile microtubules interact with actin filaments during events such as axonal retraction and growth cone turning.

References

Jan 1, 1991·Annual Review of Neuroscience·R B Vallee, G S Bloom
Oct 1, 1991·The Journal of Cell Biology·E M Tanaka, M W Kirschner
Apr 21, 1988·Nature·P J Sammak, G G Borisy
Dec 1, 1981·The Journal of Cell Biology·S R HeidemannM A Hamborg
Jun 1, 1993·The Journal of Cell Biology·C H Lin, P Forscher
Jan 9, 1996·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·J F DillmanK K Pfister
Dec 1, 1995·Cell Biochemistry and Function·J P HenríquezR B Maccioni
Jul 8, 1999·Current Opinion in Neurobiology·M Bernstein, J W Lichtman
Jul 9, 1999·Molecular Biology of the Cell·M W RochlinP C Bridgman
Nov 27, 1999·Current Biology : CB·M K Houseweart, D W Cleveland
Dec 4, 2001·Current Opinion in Microbiology·F YarmD Pellman
May 29, 2002·Cardiovascular Pathology : the Official Journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Pathology·J S Y Lee, A I Gotlieb
Jul 10, 2002·The Journal of Cell Biology·Wendy C SalmonClare M Waterman-Storer
Jul 12, 2002·Developmental Cell·Damian Brunner
Sep 13, 2002·Current Biology : CB·Lei Wang, Anthony Brown
Oct 3, 2002·The Journal of Cell Biology·Gianluca GalloPaul C Letourneau
Feb 21, 2003·Current Biology : CB·Haeryun Lee, David Van Vactor
Jul 2, 2003·Nature Cell Biology·Olga C RodriguezClare M Waterman-Storer
Oct 17, 2003·The Journal of Biological Chemistry·Mario D'AddarioChristopher A G McCulloch
Oct 29, 2003·The Neuroscientist : a Review Journal Bringing Neurobiology, Neurology and Psychiatry·Erik W DentKatherine Kalil
Nov 5, 2003·Journal of Neurobiology·Peter W Baas, Daniel W Buster
Nov 5, 2003·Journal of Neurobiology·Leif Dehmelt, Shelley Halpain
Nov 5, 2003·Journal of Neurobiology·Phillip R Gordon-Weeks
Nov 5, 2003·Journal of Neurobiology·Feng-Quan Zhou, Christopher S Cohan
Dec 24, 2003·The Journal of Cell Biology·Denis L DujardinRichard B Vallee
Mar 19, 2004·Current Biology : CB·Benoit RogerShelley Halpain
Apr 16, 2004·Current Biology : CB·Yitao MaSergey V Popov
Jul 10, 2004·Current Biology : CB·Daniel M SuterPaul Forscher
Oct 27, 2004·The Journal of Cell Biology·Atsuko KodamaElaine Fuchs
Dec 17, 2004·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Thomas P HasakaPeter W Baas
Feb 8, 2005·Trends in Cell Biology·Takashi WatanabeKozo Kaibuchi
Feb 25, 2005·The Journal of Cell Biology·Yan HePeter W Baas
Apr 9, 2005·Trends in Cell Biology·Peter W Baas, Liang Qiang
Apr 29, 2005·Molecular Biology of the Cell·Daniela A BritoMichael P Koonce
May 14, 2005·Journal of Cell Science·Jun NoritakeKozo Kaibuchi
Aug 4, 2005·Journal of Cell Science·Chung-Ming LinRonald K H Liem
Aug 30, 2005·Trends in Cell Biology·Peter W BaasLiang Qiang

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

May 7, 2010·Molecules and Cells·Sung Haeng Lee, Roberto Dominguez
Jun 10, 2009·Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP·Assaf Zemel, Alex Mogilner
Oct 9, 2008·PloS One·Carolina RezávalMaría Fernanda Ceriani
Apr 28, 2012·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Vidya C NadarPeter W Baas
Sep 12, 2007·The Journal of Cell Biology·Kenneth A Myers, Peter W Baas
Mar 17, 2010·Molecular and Cellular Neurosciences·D Lorena FrancoM Fernanda Ceriani
May 11, 2011·Developmental Neurobiology·Peter W Baas, Shen Lin
Aug 7, 2008·Current Biology : CB·Eric S Sweet, Bonnie L Firestein
May 4, 2016·The Journal of Cell Biology·Anand N RaoPeter W Baas
Nov 25, 2016·Molecular Biology of the Cell·Yue QuAndreas Prokop
Oct 12, 2010·Cell Adhesion & Migration·Niraj Trivedi, David J Solecki
Oct 14, 2006·Journal of Cell Science·Francesca Bartolini, Gregg G Gundersen

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.