A possible regulatory system of microtubule formation among uremic toxins.

Abstract

Tubulin is an intracellular protein, whose polymerization leads to the formation of microtubules (MT). MT are an essential component of axons of nerve cells, and the rate of axon regeneration depends on the synthesis or polymerization of tubulin 1. Uremic plasma inhibits the growth of nervous fibers in chicken embryo. Moreover, in uremic neuropathy, axonal degeneration is frequently observed 2. Thus, in uremic patients, MT formation from tubulin polymerization may be inhibited. If this effect also occurs in vivo, uremic toxins (UT) might be involved in the pathogenesis of uremic neuropathy.