Figure 1: The microtubule is a dynamic structure essential to axonal transport and neuron survival. The center panel depicts the basic neuron structure, highlighting the role of kinesin family proteins for anterograde transport from the cell body; and the dynein molecular motor, essential for retrograde transport back from the axon terminal. The upper panel represents and expansion from one isolated microtubule showing α-tubulin and β-tubulin as dynamic building blocks of the microtubule (side view and cross-section). The lower panel is an expansion of the axon in cross-section, underscoring the role of tau protein in microtubule stabilization.