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neurofilament, light polypeptide 68kDa
Symbol(s): NEFL
Locus: 8 p21
EC number [1]
EntrezGene 4747
OMIM 162280
RefSeq NM_006158
UniProt P07196
neurofilament, heavy polypeptide 200kDa
Symbol(s): NEFH
Locus: 22 q12.1 -13.1
EC number [2]
EntrezGene 4744
OMIM 162230
RefSeq NM_021076
UniProt P12036
neurofilament 3 (150kDa medium)
Symbol(s): NEF3
Locus: 8 p21
EC number [3]
EntrezGene 4741
OMIM 162250
RefSeq NM_005382
UniProt P07197

Neurofilaments are the type IV family of intermediate filaments that is found in high concentrations along the axons of vertebrate neurons.

The three types of neurofilament proteins coassemble in vivo, forming a heteropolymer that contain NF-L plus one of the others. The NF-H and NF-M proteins have lengthy C-terminal tail domains that bind to neighboring filaments, generating aligned arrays with a uniform interfilament spacing.

During axonal growth, new neurofilament subunits are incorporated all along the axon in a dynamic process that involves the addition of subunits along the filament length, as well as the addition of subunits at the filament ends.

After an axon has grown and connected with its target cell, the diameter of the axon may increase as much as fivefold.

The level of neurofilament gene expression seems to directly control axonal diameter, which in turn controls how fast electrical signals travel down the axon.[4]

See also

  • Intermediate filament

External links



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