Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 19, 2026

Author Spotlight: Understanding the Impact of Pathological Proteins on Axonal Transport in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: December 22, 2023
PATHOLOGIES OF AXONAL TRANSPORT IN NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES
Xin-An Liu1, Valerio Rizzo, Sathyanarayanan V Puthanveettil
1Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, 130 Scripps Way. Jupiter, Fl-33458, United States of America.
Abstract:
Gene products such as organelles, proteins and RNAs are actively transported to synaptic terminals for the remodeling of pre-existing neuronal connections and formation of new ones. Proteins described as molecular motors mediate this transport and utilize specialized cytoskeletal proteins that function as molecular tracks for the motor based transport of cargos. Molecular motors such as kinesins and dynein's move along microtubule tracks formed by tubulins whereas myosin motors utilize tracks formed by actin. Deficits in active transport of gene products have been implicated in a number of neurological disorders. We describe such disorders collectively as "transportopathies". Here we review current knowledge of critical components of active transport and their relevance to neurodegenerative diseases.
Related Concept Videos
Disorders of the Nervous Tissue
Homeostatic Imbalances:
Alzheimer's disease manifests as a gradual decline in memory and cognitive abilities, attributed to the buildup of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain.
Parkinson's disease arises from the...
Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue
Neurons: 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....
Parkinson's Disease: Overview
Amyloid Fibrils
Amyloid deposits were observed as early as 1639 in the liver and the spleen. In 1854, Rudolph Virchow performed iodine staining,...
Lysosomal Hydrolases

