Organelle dynamics in lobster axons: anterograde and retrograde particulate organelles

Particulate organelles in isolated axons from the walking legs of the lobster were detected with differential interference contrast optics and video microscopic techniques. The motion of the organelles was studied in normal axons, in axons whose surface membrane was rendered permeable with saponin, and in axoplasm extruded from the axons. In normal axons at 20-22 degrees C, organelles moved more rapidly in the anterograde direction than in the retrograde direction (respective mean velocities 1.73 micron/s and 0.63 micron/s). The instantaneous velocities of both sets of organelles were variable: those of the anterograde organelles varied less than those of retrograde organelles. The variation in instantaneous velocity was patterned; all organelles studied had velocities that fluctuated slowly with a major frequency at about 0.1 Hz. Some organelles oscillated about a fixed position at a similar major frequency. In axons with a permeabilized surface membrane there was no organelle motion unless adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) was present in the bathing medium. Organelle motion reactivated with ATP was patterned in a way similar to that in normal intact axons. In extruded axoplasm in the presence of ATP, organelles moved along transport filaments that were assumed to be microtubules. Movement of organelles from one transport filament to another was not accompanied by changes in motion that could explain the normal fluctuation in velocity. The evidence indicates that the variable, or oscillatory, character of organelle motion in lobster axons is caused by an active component of the mechanisms of axonal transport.