title: Axonal transport and neurodegenerative disease.
abstract: Neurons have extensive processes and communication between those processes and the cell body is crucial to neuronal function and survival. Thus, neurons are uniquely dependent on microtubule based transport. Growing evidence supports the idea that deficits in axonal transport contribute to pathogenesis in multiple neurodegenerative diseases. We describe the motor, cytoskeletal, and adaptor proteins involved in axonal transport and their interactions. Data linking disruption of axonal transport to diseases such as ALS are discussed. Finally, we explore the pathways that may cause neuronal dysfunction and death.
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6046, USA.
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chevalier-Larsen
authors.forename: Erika L F
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Holzbaur
mesh_terms: D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D001370:Axonal Transport / Q000235:genetics*; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000072159:Dynactin Complex; D004398:Dyneins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007382:Intermediate Filaments / Q000378:metabolism; D016547:Kinesins / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D018448:Models, Immunological; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000235:genetics*; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000072159:Dynactin Complex; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D004398:Dyneins; D016547:Kinesins