NF-L Background Information
Neurofilament-L (for neurofilament light polypeptide, or NF-L), a member of the intermediate filament family, is a major component of neuronal cytoskeletons. Neurofilaments are dynamic structures; they contain phosphorylation sites for a large number of protein kinases, including protein kinase A, protein kinase C, cyclin-dependent kinase 5, extracellular signal regulated kinase, glycogen synthase kinase-3, and stress-activated protein kinase gamma. In addition to their role in the control of axon caliber, neurofilaments may affect other cytoskeletal elements, such as microtubules and actin filaments. Changes in neurofilament phosphorylation or metabolism are frequently observed in neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
