Clustering of voltage-dependent sodium channels on axons depends on Schwann cell contact.

摘要: In myelinated nerves, segregation of voltage-dependent sodium channels to nodes Ranvier is crucial for saltatory conduction along axons. As associate and colocalize with ankyrin at Ranvier, one possibility that are recruited immobilized axonal sites which specified by the subaxolemmal cytoskeleton, independent glial cell contact. Alternatively, distinct axon may depend on To resolve this question, we have examined distribution channels, spectrin in myelination-competent cocultures sensory neurons Schwann cells immunofluorescence, using channel-, ankyrin- spectrin-specific antibodies. absence cells, homogeneously distributed When introduced into these cultures, dramatically changes so channel clusters axons abundant, but remain distributed. Addition latex beads or membranes does not induce clustering. Our results suggest highly dependent interactions active continuing axon-glial necessary organize maintain during differentiation