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Slow axonal transport: stop and go traffic in the axon

Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology volume 1, pages 153–156 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

Efforts to observe the slow axonal transport of cytoskeletal polymers during the past decade have yielded conflicting results, and this has generated considerable controversy. The movement of neurofilaments has now been seen, and it is rapid, infrequent and highly asynchronous. This motile behaviour could explain why slow axonal transport has eluded observation for so long.

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Figure 1: Kinetics of slow axonal transport.
Figure 2: A neurofilament on the move.
Figure 3: A model for the movement of neurofilaments in axons.

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Acknowledgements

The author thanks Ray Lasek and Peter Baas for stimulating discussions.

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  1. the Neuroscience Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, 45701, Ohio, USA

    Anthony Brown

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Brown, A. Slow axonal transport: stop and go traffic in the axon. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 1, 153–156 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/35040102

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