Molecular motors and cell motility in the brain

Brain Pathol. 1994 Apr;4(2):167-79. doi: 10.1111/j.1750-3639.1994.tb00827.x.

Abstract

The advent of video computer-enhanced microscopy has provided a new vision of cell migrations, growth cones, and fast axonal transport in the nervous system. In images obtained in studies of fast transport in isolated axoplasm from the squid giant axon, a virtual torrent of membrane traffic could be seen moving in both directions. Similarly, examination of growth cones and cell migrations in vitro and in vivo revealed properties of cell motility that were previously unsuspected. Evidence has accumulated that many of these activities are driven by a variety of microtubule and microfilament based motors.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Actins / physiology
  • Animals
  • Brain / cytology*
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Cell Movement
  • Dyneins / physiology
  • Humans
  • Kinesins / physiology
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / physiology
  • Microtubules / physiology
  • Myosins / physiology

Substances

  • Actins
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Myosins
  • Dyneins
  • Kinesins