page_title: Neurotubule
hierarchical_section_title: Neurotubule
caption_attribution_description: English: Confocal image (cLSM) of a living PC-12 cell. PC-12 cells are immortal rat (Rattus norvegicus) pheochromocytoma cells and undergo neuron like differentiation after treatment with nerve growth factor. Mitochondria are stained in red (Mitotracker red), the nucleus is seen in blue (DAPI). Microtubules are stained in green (Tubulintracker green). Mitochondria form dense networks in the cells soma and are transported along microtubules via motorproteins into the cells processes to accumulate in synapse like structures.Deutsch: Konfokales Bild (cLSM) einer lebenden PC-12 Zelle. PC-12 Zellen sind Krebszellen der Nebenniere der Ratte (Rattus norvegicus) und differenzieren zu nervenzellähnlich durch Behandlung mit Nervenwachstumsfaktoren. Mitochondrien sind rot gefärbt (Mitotracker red), der Zellkern ist blau (DAPI). Mikrotubuli sind grün gefärbt (Tubulintracker green). Mitochondrien werden durch Motorproteine in die Peripherie der Zelle transportiert und akkumulieren in synapsenähnlichen Spitzen der Zellausläufer.English: Mitochondria and cytoskeleton in PC-12 cells
context_page_description: Neurotubules are microtubules found in neurons in nervous tissues. Along with neurofilaments and microfilaments, they form the cytoskeleton of neurons. Neurotubules are undivided hollow cylinders that are made up of tubulin protein polymers and arrays parallel to the plasma membrane in neurons. Neurotubules have an outer diameter of about 23 nm and an inner diameter, also known as the central core, of about 12 nm. The wall of the neurotubules is about 5 nm in width. There is a non-opaque clear zone surrounding the neurotubule and it is about 40 nm in diameter. Like microtubules, neurotubules are greatly dynamic and the length of them can be adjusted by polymerization and depolymerization of tubulin.
  Despite having similar mechanical properties, neurotubules are distinct from microtubules found in other cell types with regards to their function and intracellular arrangement. Most neurotubules are not anchored in the microtubule organizing center like conventional microtubules do. Instead, they are released for transport into dendrites and axons after their nucleation in the centrosome. Therefore, both ends of the neurotubules terminates in the cytoplasm instead.
context_section_description: Neurotubules are microtubules found in neurons in nervous tissues. Along with neurofilaments and microfilaments, they form the cytoskeleton of neurons. Neurotubules are undivided hollow cylinders that are made up of tubulin protein polymers and arrays parallel to the plasma membrane in neurons.  Neurotubules have an outer diameter of about 23 nm and an inner diameter, also known as the central core, of about 12 nm. The wall of the neurotubules is about 5 nm in width. There is a non-opaque clear zone surrounding the neurotubule and it is about 40 nm in diameter. Like microtubules, neurotubules are greatly dynamic and the length of them can be adjusted by polymerization and depolymerization of tubulin.
  Despite having similar mechanical properties, neurotubules are distinct from microtubules found in other cell types with regards to their function and intracellular arrangement. Most neurotubules are not anchored in the microtubule organizing center (MTOC) like conventional microtubules do. Instead, they are released for transport into dendrites and axons after their nucleation in the centrosome. Therefore, both ends of the neurotubules terminates in the cytoplasm instead.
  Neurotubules are crucial in various cellular processes in neurons. Together with neurofilaments, they help to maintain the shape of a neuron and provide mechanical support. Neurotubules also aid the transportation of organelles, vesicles containing neurotransmitters, messager RNA and other intracellular molecules inside a neuron.
caption: Multicolor fluorescence image of a neuron. Neurotubules are stained in green and mitochondria are stained in red.
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