KINESIN ACCUMULATION IN CHICK SPINAL AXONAL SWELLINGS WITH BETA,BETA'-IMINODIPROPIONITRILE (IDPN) INTOXICATION

Kinesin is a major molecular motor responsible for anterograde axonal transport. Chicks were injected with beta,beta'-iminodipropionitrile ( IDPN) to induce axonal swellings in spinal motor neurons and spinal se nsory ganglion neurons. Cylindrical swollen axons were found in the an terior horn and anterior funiculus of the spinal cord, anterior root, and spinal ganglia. All of the axonal swellings were heavily stained w ith two anti-kinesin monoclonal antibodies. The swellings were mildly stained with an anticytoplasmic dynein and anti-tubulin antibodies, an d weakly stained with an anti-tau antibody. These suggest the isolated disturbance of kinesin transport with neurofilament accumulation in I DPN intoxication. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights re served.