Axonal Transport and Cytoskeletal Incorporation of Neurofilaments

伊本98-09878谢伊。“神经元”(大脑的细胞)传递电信号和化学信号，使我们能够思考、感觉和移动。神经元通过它们身体的长条延伸相互连接，这被称为“轴突”。这些轴突的功能本质上就像电话线，允许神经元相互传输信号。神经元不同于身体中的其他细胞，因为它们永远不会被取代。一旦神经元死亡，它的功能就会永远丧失。因此，神经元的过度丧失或轴突的断开可能会导致人类疾病，如卢·格希格病、阿尔茨海默氏症或智力低下。重要的是，轴突在内部由许多蛋白质组成的支架支撑。这些蛋白质像积木一样相互连接，在轴突本身形成一个骨架(“细胞骨架”)。这种细胞骨架保持轴突的形状，就像大梁可以支撑一座建筑一样。然而，与建筑物的静态大梁不同，轴突的细胞骨架必须不断地用新的积木进行修复和维护。这一过程给神经元带来了相当大的负担。我们的研究解决了神经元如何在人的一生中维持这一支架的问题，并将确定这一过程中容易出现错误的特定方面，这些错误可能导致神经元断开。

IBN 98-09878 SHEA. "Neurons" (the cells of the brain) transmit electrical and chemical signals that allow us to think, feel and move. Neurons connect to each other by long extensions of their bodies termed "axons". These axons function essentially like telephone wires, allowing neurons to transmit their signals to each other. Neurons are unlike other cells in the body in that they are never replaced. Once a neuron dies, its functions are therefore lost forever. Accordingly, excessive loss of neurons, or disconnection of their axons, can lead to human disorders such as Lou Gerhig's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease or mental retardation. Importantly, the axons are supported internally by a scaffold comprised of many proteins. These proteins interconnect like building blocks, a form a skeleton (the "cytoskeleton") within the axon itself. This cytoskeleton maintains the shape of the axon like girders can hold up a building. Unlike the static girders of a building, however, the cytoskeleton of the axon must continually be repaired and maintained with new building blocks. This process places a considerable burden on neurons. Our studies address how neurons manage to maintain this scaffold for a person's lifetime, and will identify particular aspects of this process that are prone to errors that may lead to disconnection of neurons.