Figure 1.

Main elements of the neuronal cytoskeleton. The neuronal cytoskeleton is mainly composed of neurofilaments, actin filaments, and microtubules. In neurons, actin filaments and microtubules are very dynamic in response to physiological needs, for example, during the embryonic development of the nervous system and the axonal regeneration of peripheral nerves after damage. Here, neurons need to grow a new axon and direct it to their right target. For this particular task, neurons use the growth cone, a motile structure rich in actin and microtubules as well as other cytoskeletal components. Scale bar 10 μm.