Abstract. In a previous study using PC-12 cells (Lim, S. S., P. J. Sammak, and G. G. Borisy. 1989. J. Cell Biol. 109:253-263), we presented evidence that the microtubule component of the neuronal cytoskeleton is differentially dynamic but stationary. However, neurites of PC-12 cells grow slowly, hindering a stringent test of slow axonal transport mechanisms under conditions where growth was substantial. We therefore extended our studies to primary cultures of dorsal root ganglion cells where the rate of neurite outgrowth is rapid. Ceils were microinjected with X-rhodaminelabeled tubulin 7-16 h after plating. After a further incubation for 6-18 h, the cells were photobleached with an argon ion laser. Using a cooled charged couple device and video microscopy, the cells were monitored for growth of the neurite and movement and recovery of fluorescence in the bleached zone. As for PC-12 cells, all bleached zones in the neurite recovered their fluorescence, indicating that incorporation of tubulin occurred along the neurite. Despite increases in neurite length of up to 70 ttm, and periods of observation of up to 5 h, no movement of bleached zones was observed. We conclude that neurite elongation cannot be accounted for by the transport of a microtubule network assembled only at the cell body. Rather, microtubules turn over all along the length of the neurite and neurite elongation occurs by net assembly at the tip.
In order to study microtubule turnover in elongating neurites, chick embryo sensory neurons were microinjected with x-rhodamine tubulin, and after 6-12 hours, short segments along chosen neurites were photobleached at multiple sites. Previous studies [Lim et al., 1989; 1990] indicated that recovery of fluorescence (FRAP) in neurites occurs by the dynamic turnover of stationary microtubules. In all cases, distal bleached zones recovered fluorescence faster than bleached zones more proximally located along the same neurites. Bleached zones at growth cones completely recovered in 30-40 minutes, while bleached zones located more proximally usually recovered in 50-120 minutes. In the most proximal regions of long neurites, recovery of fluorescence was often incomplete, indicating that a significant fraction of the microtubules in these regions were very stable. These studies indicate that there are differences in microtubule stability along the length of growing neurites. These differences may arise from the combined effects of 1) modifications that stabilize and lengthen microtubules in maturing neurites and 2) the dynamic instability of the distally oriented microtubule plus ends.
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