Neuronal dynamics and axonal flow. IV. Blockage of intra-axonal enzyme transport by colchicine. 1969

G W Kreutzberg

The fact that the nucleated center of the nerve cell is the major source of the macromolecular materials required in the maintenance and function of the whole neuron requires the operation of a steady cellulifugal convection of these supplies into and down the nerve fiber. This proximo-distal traffic has been firmly established, but the mechanisms involved in it are still poorly understood. Besides the slow (ca. 1 mm per day) advance of the axonal column as a whole ("axonal flow" in the strict sense), the demonstration of additional, much faster, traffic rates (up to several cm per day) calls for special conduits within the axon ("intra-axonal flow"). To test the possible role of neurotubules (average width:220 A) in this traffic, the drug colchicine, known for its immobilizing effect on microtubules in other types of cells, was locally injected into peripheral nerves. This resulted in a major blockage of the proximo-distal movement of a test enzyme, acetylcholinesterase, into and through the injected zone, the extent of blockage varying with the applied dosage. By analogy, the neurotubules thus seem to be definitely implicated in the motile mechanism of intra-axonal transport. By contrast, the movement of a mitochondrion-associated marker enzyme, diphosphopyridine nucleotide diaphorase, was not perceptibly affected (in the submaximal dosage range), which seems to signify that the proximo-distal shift of mitochondria, for which the slow axonal flow acts as carrier, has gone on uninterruptedly. The experiments thus indicate the possibility of uncoupling the axonal and intra-axonal transport mechanisms.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008058 Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase A flavoprotein containing oxidoreductase that catalyzes the reduction of lipoamide by NADH to yield dihydrolipoamide and NAD+. The enzyme is a component of several MULTIENZYME COMPLEXES. Lipoamide Dehydrogenase,NAD Diaphorase,NADH Diaphorase,Diaphorase (Lipoamide Dehydrogenase),Dihydrolipoyl Dehydrogenase,Glycine Decarboxylase Complex L-Protein,L-Protein, Glycine Decarboxylase Complex,Lipoamide Dehydrogenase, Valine,Lipoic Acid Dehydrogenase,Lipoyl Dehydrogenase,Valine Lipoamide Dehydrogenase,Dehydrogenase, Dihydrolipoamide,Dehydrogenase, Dihydrolipoyl,Dehydrogenase, Lipoamide,Dehydrogenase, Lipoic Acid,Dehydrogenase, Lipoyl,Dehydrogenase, Valine Lipoamide,Diaphorase, NAD,Diaphorase, NADH,Glycine Decarboxylase Complex L Protein
D008297 Male Males
D009243 NAD A coenzyme composed of ribosylnicotinamide 5'-diphosphate coupled to adenosine 5'-phosphate by pyrophosphate linkage. It is found widely in nature and is involved in numerous enzymatic reactions in which it serves as an electron carrier by being alternately oxidized (NAD+) and reduced (NADH). (Dorland, 27th ed) Coenzyme I,DPN,Diphosphopyridine Nucleotide,Nadide,Nicotinamide-Adenine Dinucleotide,Dihydronicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide,NADH,Adenine Dinucleotide, Dihydronicotinamide,Dinucleotide, Dihydronicotinamide Adenine,Dinucleotide, Nicotinamide-Adenine,Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide,Nucleotide, Diphosphopyridine
D009474 Neurons The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM. Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D003078 Colchicine A major alkaloid from Colchicum autumnale L. and found also in other Colchicum species. Its primary therapeutic use is in the treatment of gout, but it has been used also in the therapy of familial Mediterranean fever (PERIODIC DISEASE). Colchicine, (+-)-Isomer,Colchicine, (R)-Isomer
D003593 Cytoplasm The part of a cell that contains the CYTOSOL and small structures excluding the CELL NUCLEUS; MITOCHONDRIA; and large VACUOLES. (Glick, Glossary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 1990) Protoplasm,Cytoplasms,Protoplasms
D006651 Histocytochemistry Study of intracellular distribution of chemicals, reaction sites, enzymes, etc., by means of staining reactions, radioactive isotope uptake, selective metal distribution in electron microscopy, or other methods. Cytochemistry
D000110 Acetylcholinesterase An enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of ACETYLCHOLINE to CHOLINE and acetate. In the CNS, this enzyme plays a role in the function of peripheral neuromuscular junctions. EC 3.1.1.7. Acetylcholine Hydrolase,Acetylthiocholinesterase,Hydrolase, Acetylcholine
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001369 Axons Nerve fibers that are capable of rapidly conducting impulses away from the neuron cell body. Axon

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