ABSTRACT
The fast anterograde transport of newly synthesized proteins can be conveniently subdivided into three phases. The three phases are Initiation, Translocation, and Termination. Since fast axonal transport is predominantly a process for delivering materials to the neuronal membrane, a fruitful approach has been to compare it to schemes employed by nonneuronal cells for transporting membrane and secretory proteins to their cell surface. Inhibition of somal synthesis of any one of the three major components of membrane: protein, phospholipid, or cholesterol leads to a depression of fast axonal transport. The subpopulations may be a reflection of the longer transit time required for the formation of oligosaccharide side chains. The role of the Golgi apparatus in the initiation of fast axonal transport was examined since this structure appears to be an obligatory way station in the routing of membrane-associated proteins to the cell surface. Post-translational modifications can play an important role in determining the fate of a newly synthesized protein.
