Metabolic dependence of fast axoplasmic transport in nerve.

Fast axoplasmic transport, shown in cat sciatic nerves by a crest of labeled activity after injection of the L7 ganglion with [(3)H]-leucine or [ (3)H]-lysine, was stopped within 15 minutes after death of the animals by bleeding. If the sciatic nerves were removed from the animals and placed in a chamber supplied with oxygen at 38 degrees centigrade, fast transport was sustained. Transport was rapidly blocked in similar in vitro preparations when the nerves were kept in a nitrogen environment. Fast axoplasmic transport is closely dependent upon oxibdative metabolism.