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In vivo Assessment of Microtubule Dynamics and Orientation in Caenorhabditis elegans Neurons
Published on: November 20, 2021
Modifications in the cytoskeleton transported by slow component A during axonal regeneration.
G Filliatreau1, R Hässig, L Di Giamberardino
1INSERM U.334, Service Hospitalier Frédéric Joliot (CEA), Orsay (France).
Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience
|May 10, 2011
Summary
After peripheral nerve injury, the cytoskeleton transported by slow axonal transport (SCa) becomes enriched in microtubules and actin, facilitating regeneration. This modified SCa cytoskeleton supports daughter axon growth.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Axonal transport is crucial for neuronal function and regeneration.
- The cytoskeleton, comprising neurofilaments, microtubules, and actin, plays a vital role in axonal structure and transport.
- Slow axonal transport (SCa) is responsible for delivering essential cytoskeletal components to the axon.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the alterations in the parent cytoskeleton carried by SCa following peripheral nerve crush injury.
- To determine how these modifications impact the cytoskeleton composition during axonal regeneration.
Main Methods:
- Rat sciatic motor axons were used, and proteins were radiolabeled with [35S]methionine.
- A nerve crush was performed to isolate proteins transported by SCa in the parent axon.
- The distribution of polymerized and unpolymerized cytoskeletal proteins was analyzed in regenerating and normal nerves two weeks post-crush.
Main Results:
- Neurofilaments were largely arrested by the crush in parent axons.
- Microtubules, soluble tubulin, and actin (both soluble and insoluble) were transported normally by SCa.
- The SCa-transported cytoskeleton entering the daughter axon was enriched in microtubules and actin, but depleted of neurofilaments.
Conclusions:
- The parent cytoskeleton transported by SCa undergoes compositional changes after axotomy, favoring microtubules and actin.
- Despite compositional shifts, the SCa-transported cytoskeleton maintains coordinated progression and transport velocity.
- The modified SCa cytoskeleton is adapted to serve as the equivalent cytoskeleton in the regenerating daughter axons.
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