Cytoplasmic dynein and microtubule transport in the axon: The action connection

The neuron uses two families of microtubule-based motors for fast axonal transport, kinesin, and cytoplasmic dynein. Cytoplasmic dynein moves membranous organelles from the distal regions of the axon to the cell body. Because dynein is synthesized in the cell body, it must first be delivered to the axon tip. It has recently been shown that cytoplasmic dynein is moved from the cell body along the axon by two different mechanisms. A small amount is associated with fast anterograde transport, the membranous organelles moved by kinesin. Most of the dynein is transported in slow component b, the actin-based transport compartment. Dynactin, a protein complex that binds dynein, is also transported in slow component b. The dynein in slow component b binds to microtubules in an ATP-dependent manner in vitro, suggesting that this dynein is enzymatically active. The finding that functionally active dynein, and dynactin, are associated with the actin-based transport compartment suggests a mechanism whereby dynein anchored to the actin cytoskeleton via dynactin provides the motive force for microtubule movement in the axon.