Colloidal Stabilization of Neurofilaments and Microtubules
Abstract
The research supported by this award is based on the hypothesis that the interfilament distances between microtubules and neurofilaments are maintained by a polymer brush based mechanism, that results in what has been called colloidal stabilization. We suggest that failure of such stabilization may be related to, and even causal, in neuropathologies such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Alzheimer's disease. Thus focus of the research in this proposal is a series of experiments that test the polymer brush based mechanism. These experiments include atomic force microscopy, macromolecular exclusion measurements on isolated neurofilaments and microtubules and analysis of neurofilament distributions in electron micrographs. With an understanding of the basic mechanism, conditions under which the colloidal stabilization fail will be examined. The main findings to date are that macromolecular exclusion measurements and analysis of neurofilament distributions in electron micrographs are consistent with a polymer brush based long range repulsive interaction, thus supporting the main hypothesis. The results from this research will provide fundamental insight into the mechanism of neurodegeneration, and suggest new approaches to therapies and treatments for neuropathologies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA382506
Entities
People
- Jan H. Hoh
Organizations
- Johns Hopkins University