Organization of ion channels in the myelinated nerve fiber.
The functional organization of the mammalian myelinated nerve fiber is complex and elegant. In contrast to nonmyelinated axons, whose membranes have a relatively uniform structure, the mammalian myelinated axon exhibits a high degree of regional specialization that extends to the location of voltage-dependent ion channels within the axon membrane. Sodium and potassium channels are segregated into complementary membrane domains, with a distribution reflecting that of the overlying Schwann or glial cells. This complexity of organization has important implications for physiology and pathophysiology, particularly with respect to the development of myelinated fibers.
S G
SG
Waxman
J M
JM
Ritchie
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005614:Freeze Fracturing; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D011901:Ranvier's Nodes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012038:Regeneration; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism
D007473:Ion Channels; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium