Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Neurons: The Axon01:21

Neurons: The Axon

Axons are long, cytoplasmic processes of nerve cells capable of propagating electrical impulses known as action potentials. The cytoplasm or axoplasm of an axon contains neurofibrils, neurotubules, small vesicles, lysosomes, mitochondria, and various enzymes, all encased within the axolemma, the plasma membrane of the axon.
The axon attaches to the cell body at a cone-shaped elevation called the axon hillock. The initial part of the axon, closest to the hillock, is known as the initial segment.
The Movement of Organelles and Vesicles01:43

The Movement of Organelles and Vesicles

In eukaryotic cells,  cytoskeletal filaments such as actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments form a mesh-like cytoskeletal network. These filaments serve as tracks for transporting cellular cargo. Specialized motor proteins use the chemical energy stored in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for this transport. During interphase, microtubules are polarized, with the plus-end towards the cell periphery and the minus-end towards the cell center. Two microtubule-associated motor proteins,...
Microtubule Associated Motor Proteins01:32

Microtubule Associated Motor Proteins

Eukaryotic cells have different motor proteins for transporting various cargo within the cell. These motor proteins differ based on the filament they associate with, the direction they move within the cell, and the type of cargo they transport. Motor proteins that associate with microtubules are known as microtubule-associated motor proteins. There are two families of microtubule-associated motor proteins —Kinesins and Dyneins. Both these proteins assist in the transport of cellular cargos...
Active Transport01:14

Active Transport

Active transport is a critical biological process that allows cells to move solutes against an electrochemical gradient. This process requires direct energy input and is characterized by its selectivity, saturability, and susceptibility to competitive inhibition.
Primary active transporters, like Na+, K+ and -ATPase, directly utilize ATP to move ions across the membrane. These transporters play significant roles in various physiological processes. For instance, Na+, K+ and -ATPase maintain...
Types of Skeletal Muscle Fibers01:32

Types of Skeletal Muscle Fibers

Skeletal muscles comprise various fibers, each with distinct characteristics and roles in movement and stability. They are mainly categorized into three types — fast-twitch, slow-twitch, and intermediate.
Fast-twitch fibers
Fast-twitch fibers, or Type II fibers, are designed for quick, powerful bursts of speed and strength. They reach peak tension within approximately 0.01 seconds following stimulation. Characterized by a large diameter and densely packed myofibrils, these fibers contain...
Secondary Active Transport01:32

Secondary Active Transport

One example of how cells use the energy contained in electrochemical gradients is demonstrated by glucose transport into cells. The ion vital to this process is sodium (Na+), which is typically present in higher concentrations extracellularly than in the cytosol. Such a concentration difference is due, in part, to the action of an enzyme "pump" embedded in the cellular membrane that actively expels Na+ from a cell. Importantly, as this pump contributes to the high concentration of...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Neuronal degeneration: Axons bend without breaking by controlling microtubule motion.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same author

Management of traumatic corneal wounds that do not seal after primary closure: a systematic review.

Eye (London, England)·2026
Same author

Use of preoperative imaging in open globe injury management: a systematic review.

The British journal of ophthalmology·2025
Same author

PKA orchestrates long-range lysosomal vesicle transport during synaptic maintenance.

iScience·2025
Same author

Did axons evolve by activating cytokinesis during interphase? A hypothesis on the origin of neurons.

Molecular biology of the cell·2025
Same author

Non-surgical interventions for proliferative vitreoretinopathy-a systematic review.

Eye (London, England)·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Expanding the Toolkit for In Vivo Imaging of Axonal Transport
09:24

Expanding the Toolkit for In Vivo Imaging of Axonal Transport

Published on: December 23, 2021

What is slow axonal transport?

Kyle E Miller1, Steven R Heidemann

  • 1Department of Zoology, Michigan State University, 203 Natural Sciences Building, East Lansing, MI 48824-1115, USA. kmiller@msu.edu

Experimental Cell Research
|April 16, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Slow axonal transport involves multiple mechanisms, including motor-based transport, diffusion, and en bloc movement. The specific mechanisms utilized vary by neuron type and developmental stage.

More Related Videos

Axonal Transport of Organelles in Motor Neuron Cultures using Microfluidic Chambers System
10:12

Axonal Transport of Organelles in Motor Neuron Cultures using Microfluidic Chambers System

Published on: May 5, 2020

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Expanding the Toolkit for In Vivo Imaging of Axonal Transport
09:24

Expanding the Toolkit for In Vivo Imaging of Axonal Transport

Published on: December 23, 2021

Axonal Transport of Organelles in Motor Neuron Cultures using Microfluidic Chambers System
10:12

Axonal Transport of Organelles in Motor Neuron Cultures using Microfluidic Chambers System

Published on: May 5, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The mechanisms driving slow axonal transport have been debated for decades.
  • Previous theories often presented opposing models for axonal transport.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose a multivariate model integrating various mechanisms of slow axonal transport.
  • To explain the complex phenomenology of slow axonal transport.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and theoretical integration of existing transport models.
  • Synthesis of evidence supporting multiple concurrent transport mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Slow axonal transport is a multivariate phenomenon.
  • Key mechanisms include molecular motor-based transport, diffusion, and en bloc transport.
  • Transport modes are context-dependent (neuron region, length, species, cell type, developmental stage).

Conclusions:

  • A multivariate approach better explains the bi-directionality and variable velocities observed in slow axonal transport.
  • This integrated model reconciles previously conflicting theories on axonal transport.