Low temperature slowing and cold-block of fast axoplasmic transport in mammalian nerves in vitro

1) Fast axoplasmic transport in mammalian nerve in vitro was studied using an isotope labeling technique. The rate of outflow in cat sciatic nerve fibers of 410 mm/day in vitro was reduced at temperatures below 38 degrees C with a Q10 of 2.0 in the range 38-18 degrees C and a Q10 of 2.3 at 38-13 degrees C. 2) At a temperature of 11 degrees C a partial failure of transport occurred. At temperatures below 11 degrees C a complete block of fast axoplasmic transport occurred, a phenomenon termed "cold-block." No transport at all was seen over the temperature range of 10-0 degrees C for times lasting up to 48 hr. 3) Transport was resumed after a period of cold-block lasting up to 22 hr when the nerves were brought back to a temperature of 38 degrees C. Some deleterious effects due to cold-block were seen in the recovery phase as indicated by a reduction in crest amplitude, change in its form, and slowed rate. 4) The approximately P level (combined ATP and creatine phosphate) remained near control level in nerves kept at low or cold-block temperatures for times as long as 64 hr. The reduction in fast axoplasmic transport rate seen at low temperatures for times up to 22 hr was therefore considered due to a decrease in the utilization of ATP, a concept in accord with the "transport filament" model proposed to account for fast axoplasmic transport. 5) The sloping of the front of the crest over the temperature range of 18-13 degrees C suggests an additional factor at the lower temperatures. A disassembly of microtubules is discussed as a possible explanation of the cold-block phenomenon.