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Updated: Sep 16, 2026

Characterizing the Composition of Molecular Motors on Moving Axonal Cargo Using "Cargo Mapping" Analysis
Published on: October 30, 2014
Mechanism of axonal transport: a proposed role for calcium ions
Abstract:
In vitro axonal transport of tritiated protein decreased 40 to 60 percent when neuronal cell bodies were incubated in calcium-free medium, but was not affected when only nerve trunks were exposed to calcium-free conditions. In addition, calcium-45 was transported along axons at a rate similar to that of rapidly transported tritiated protein. These data are interpreted to suggest that calcium ions are involved in the initiation of axonal transport and in the coupling of transported proteins to the transport system.
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