Cytoskeletons of central and peripheral neurons.
All eukaryotic cells have a cytoskeleton, consisting of microtubules, intermediate filaments and microfilaments. The cytoskeletal structure of cells and cell processes in the central nervous system is diverse. The generation of animal models in which specific mutations result in underexpression of overexpression of particular intermediate filament and microtubular proteins allows assessment of the possible role of cytoskeletal abnormalities in the neurodegenerative disorders. It is suggested that overexpression of filaments is likely to be the more significant process, but that neurofibrillary change, as recognized by the neuropathologist represents the final result of failure of any of a large number of molecular processes involved in cytoskeletal protein turnover.
Shelanski
M L
ML
Department of Pathology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027.
Frappier
T
T
Georgieff
I
I
Troy
C
C
Mellado
W
W
D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects