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Three-dimensional Imaging and Analysis of Mitochondria within Human Intraepidermal Nerve Fibers
Published on: September 29, 2017
Cytoplasmic dynein/dynactin function and dysfunction in motor neurons
Jennifer R Levy1, Erika L F Holzbaur
1University of Pennsylvania, D400 Richards Building, 3700 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6085, USA.
Abstract:
The microtubule motor protein cytoplasmic dynein and its activator dynactin are essential in higher eukaryotes, due to critical roles in vesicular transport and cell division. Neurons are uniquely sensitive to defects in dynein/dynactin function, which affect retrograde axonal transport, neurotrophic factor signaling, neurofilament transport, mRNA localization, neuronal migration, and protein recycling and degradation. Mutations in either dynein or dynactin lead to motor neuron degeneration and loss. Recent progress in understanding the cellular mechanisms of dynein/dynactin function, and the effects of dynein/dynactin dysfunction has provided new insight into the roles of microtubule-based motility in the neuron.
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