What Is a Neurofilament?

A large number of neurons have a fiber structure with an outer diameter of about 10 nm. It is thought to have a cytoskeletal effect that maintains neuron morphology.

Neurofilament

A hair-like structure is seen on the surface of this wire. When the nerve filaments run parallel as in the axon, a certain distance is maintained between the two filaments.

Nerve filaments in mammals are composed of three peptides with molecular weights of 200,000, 160,000 and 68,000. These proteins form a group that moves inside the axon at a very slow speed (1mm / day). The ratio of nerve filaments and microtubules is lower in young animals, but gradually increases with growth and maturity. In addition, degeneration neurons and aging neurons have abnormally increased or deformed nerve filaments. The neurofilament of lower animals is different from mammals. It consists of two or one polypeptide.