Neurofilament Proteins

Synonyms

Heavy Neurofilament Protein

Neurofilament Protein, Heavy

Neurofilament Triplet Proteins

Protein, Heavy Neurofilament

Proteins, Neurofilament

Proteins, Neurofilament Triplet

Triplet Proteins, Neurofilament

Type III intermediate filament proteins that assemble into neurofilaments, the major cytoskeletal element in nerve axons and dendrites. They consist of three distinct polypeptides, the neurofilament triplet. Types I, II, and IV intermediate filament proteins form other cytoskeletal elements such as keratins and lamins. It appears that the metabolism of neurofilaments is disturbed in Alzheimer's disease, as indicated by the presence of neurofilament epitopes in the neurofibrillary tangles, as well as by the severe reduction of the expression of the gene for the light neurofilament subunit of the neurofilament triplet in brains of Alzheimer's patients. (Can J Neurol Sci 1990 Aug;17(3):302)