Neurofilament subunits can undergo axonal transport without incorporation into Triton-insoluble structures

We examined the form(s) in which NF subunits undergo axonal transport. Pulse-chase radiolabeling analyses with 35S-methioinine revealed that newly synthesized Triton-soluble NF subunits accumulated within axonal neurites elaborated by NB2a/d1 neuroblastoma prior to the accumulation of Triton-insoluble subunits. Gel chromatographic, immunological, ultrastructural, and autoradiographic analyses of Triton-soluble axonal fractions demonstrated that radiolabeled, Triton-soluble subunits were associated with NFs. Triton-soluble, radiolabeled axonal NF subunits were also detected within retinal ganglion cell axons following intravitreal injection of 35S-methioinine. Microinjected biotinylated subunits were prominent within axonal neurites of NB2a/d1 cells and cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons substantially before they were retained following Triton-extraction. Prevention of biotinylated subunit, but not dextran tracer, translocation into neurites by nocodazole confirmed that microinjected subunits did not enter axons merely due to diffusion or injection-based pressure. Immuno-EM confirmed the association of biotin label with axonal NFs. These findings point towards multiple populations of NF subunits within axons and leave open the possibility that axonal NFs may be more dynamic than previously considered.