title: Fast axonal transport in isolated axoplasm from the squid giant axon.
abstract: The giant axon of the squid provides a unique cell biological model for analyzing the biochemistry and cell biology of the axon. These axons may exceed 500 μm in diameter and can be readily dissected. Once the surrounding small axons and connective tissue are removed, the axoplasm can be extruded as an intact cylinder of isolated cytoplasm. This isolated axoplasm is morphologically indistinguishable from the intact axon, but without permeability barriers. Fast axonal transport will continue for more than 4 h after extrusion and can be visualized in real time. By perfusing defined concentrations of proteins and/or reagents into the axoplasm, this preparation represents a powerful model for study of intracellular trafficking and its underlying molecular mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, USA; Yale School of Medicine, Department of Genetics and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boyer Center, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Yuyu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, USA; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Minsu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, USA; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Gerardo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morfini
authors.affiliation: Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, USA; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Scott T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Brady
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001370:Axonal Transport / Q000502:physiology*; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism*; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D049832:Decapodiformes / Q000378:metabolism*; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007734:Kymography / Q000379:methods; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism
keywords: Axoplasm; Dynein; Fast axonal transport; Kinesin; Microtubule; Neurodegeneration; Squid; Vesicle; Video microscopy