Microtubular packing varies along the course of motor and sensory axons: possible regulation of microtubules by environmental cues.
In the toad Xenopus laevis, the microtubular density of 3-microns myelinated fibres was assessed in peripheral nerves, dorsal and ventral roots, and dorsal and ventral funiculi of the spinal cord. In the roots, the axonal microtubular density was 6 microtubules/microns 2 and twice as much at the other sampling sites. This indicates that the pattern of the microtubular packing may vary along the course of the axon. We propose that axonal microtubules are regulated by local cues.
Saitua
F
F
Unidad de Neurobiología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, P. Universidad Católica, Santiago, Chile.
Alvarez
J
J
D000818:Animals; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008870:Microtubules / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014982:Xenopus laevis