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PMID: 6173385 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Polarity orientation of axonal microtubules.

The Journal of cell biology ·Vol. 91 ·No. 3 Pt 1 ·1981-12-00 ·Pages 661-5

Heidemann SR, Landers JM, Hamborg MA

Abstract

The polarity orientation of cellular microtubules is widely regarded to be important in understanding the control of microtubule assembly and microtubule-based motility in vivo. We have used a modification of the method of Heidemann and McIntosh (Nature (Lond.). 286:517-519) to determine the polarity orientation of axonal microtubules in postganglionic sympathetic fibers of the cat. In fibers from three cats we were able to visualize the polarity of 68% of the axonal microtubules; of these, 96% showed the same polarity orientation. Our interpretation is that the rapidly growing end of all axonal microtubules is distal to the cell body. We support Kirschner's hypothesis on microtubule organizing centers. (J. Cell Biol. 86:330-334), although this interpretation raises questions about the continuity of axonal microtubules. Our results are inconsistent with a number of models for axonal transport based on force production on the surface of microtubules in which the direction of force is determined by the polarity of microtubules.

MeSH Terms
Animals Axonal Transport Axons/ultrastructure Cats Microscopy, Electron Microtubules/physiology,ultrastructure Tubulin/metabolism
Chemicals
Tubulin
Authors & Affiliations
3 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Heidemann S R
Landers J M
Hamborg M A
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40 references, click to expand
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Article Info
Journal
The Journal of cell biology
Abbr.
J Cell Biol
ISSN
0021-9525
DOI
10.1083/jcb.91.3.661
Published
1981-12-00
Pages
661-5
Language
English
Region
United States
NLM ID
0375356
PMCID
PMC2112798
Subset
IM
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1083/jcb.91.3.661 PMC Full Text View journal details
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