New movements in neurofilament transport, turnover and disease

Exp Cell Res. 2007 Jun 10;313(10):2110-20. doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2007.03.011. Epub 2007 Mar 21.

Abstract

Revealing the mechanisms by which neurofilament transport and turnover are regulated has proven difficult over the years but recent studies have given new insight into these processes. Mature neurofilament fibers may incorporate a fourth functional subunit, alpha-internexin, as new evidence suggests. Recent findings have made the role of phosphorylation in regulating neurofilament transport velocity controversial. Kinesin and dynein may transport neurofilaments in slow axonal transport as they have been found to associate with neurofilaments. Neurofilament transport and turnover rates may be reduced depending on the existing stationary neurofilament network. Finally, mutations in neurofilament light that have been linked to Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease as well as other neurofilament abnormalities in human disease are discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Axonal Transport / physiology*
  • Axons / metabolism*
  • Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease / genetics
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics
  • Humans
  • Intermediate Filaments / chemistry
  • Intermediate Filaments / genetics
  • Intermediate Filaments / metabolism*
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Nervous System / metabolism*
  • Nervous System / physiopathology
  • Neurofilament Proteins / chemistry
  • Neurofilament Proteins / genetics
  • Neurofilament Proteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Subunits / chemistry
  • Protein Subunits / genetics
  • Protein Subunits / metabolism

Substances

  • Neurofilament Proteins
  • Protein Subunits