ABSTRACT
Cytoskeletal elements of the nervous system have been identified as targets for many neurotoxic compounds. There are three main components to the neuronal cytoskeleton: 1) microtubules (24 nm in diameter), 2) neu rofilaments (10 nm in diameter), and 3) microfilaments (7 nm in diameter) (Table 1; Ellisman and Porter, 1983). All three components share certain common characteristics (Table 2). Generally, they all consist of a core of acidic backbone proteins. They form helical filaments with chemically dis tinct head and tail regions whose functions are regulated by Ca++. In addi tion, their interactions with themselves or other associated proteins may be regulated by phosphorylation with specific protein kinases. Cytoskeletal pro teins provide a cell with its shape and freedom of movement. They allow the movement of materials within and from the cell.
