Cytoplasmic dynein subunit heterogeneity: implications for axonal transport

The formation and maintenance of neuronal synapses is dependent on the acti ve transport of material between the cell body and the axon terminal. Cytop lasmic dynein is one motor for microtubule-based axonal transport. Two pool s of cytoplasmic dynein have been identified in the axon. They are distingu ished by their intermediate and light intermediate chain subunits. Each poo l is transported at different rates down the axon in association with diffe rent proteins or organelles. This review presents several models to discuss the potential functional roles of these different pools of cytoplasmic dyn ein during axonal transport.