Sci. Signal., 11 August 2009
Vol. 2, Issue 83, p. pe49
[DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.283pe49]
PERSPECTIVES
Actin and Microtubule-Based Cytoskeletal Cues Direct Polarized Targeting of Proteins in Neurons
Don B. Arnold*
Department of Biology and Program in Molecular and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
Abstract:
Neuronal proteins are transported to either the axon or dendrites through the action of kinesin motors; however, understanding of how cytoskeletal elements steer these cargo-motor complexes to one compartment or the other has remained elusive. Three recent developments—the discovery of an actin-based filter within the axon initial segment, the identification of the pivotal role played by myosin motors in dendritic targeting, and the determination of the properties of a kinesin motor that cause it to prefer axonal to dendritic microtubules—have now provided a structural framework for understanding polarized targeting in neurons.
* Corresponding author. E-mail, darnold{at}usc.edu
Citation: D. B. Arnold, Actin and Microtubule-Based Cytoskeletal Cues Direct Polarized Targeting of Proteins in Neurons. Sci. Signal. 2, pe49 (2009).
Read the Full Text
