Jv. Shah et al., Bidirectional translocation of neurofilaments along microtubules mediated in part by dynein/dynactin, MOL BIOL CE, 11(10), 2000, pp. 3495-3508
Neuronal cytoskeletal elements such as neurofilaments, F-actin, and microtu
bules are actively translocated by an as yet unidentified mechanism. This r
eport describes a novel interaction between neurofilaments and microtubule
motor proteins that mediates the translocation of neurofilaments along micr
otubules in vitro. Native neurofilaments purified from spinal cord are tran
sported along microtubules at rates of 100-1000 nm/s to both plus and minus
ends. This motion requires ATP and is partially inhibited by vanadate, con
sistent with the activity of neurofilament-bound molecular motors. Motility
is in part mediated by the dynein/dynactin motor complex and several kines
in-like proteins. This reconstituted motile system suggests how slow net mo
vement of cytoskeletal polymers may be achieved by alternating activities o
f fast microtubule motors.