title: Maintenance of neuronal polarity.
abstract: Neurons are highly polarized cells with distinct domains responsible for receiving, transmitting, and propagating electrical signals. Central to these functions is the axon initial segment (AIS), a short region of the axon adjacent to the cell body that is enriched in voltage-gated ion channels, cell adhesion molecules, and cytoskeletal scaffolding proteins. Traditionally, the function of the AIS has been limited to its role in action potential initiation and modulation. However, recent experiments indicate that it also plays essential roles in neuronal polarity. Here, we review how initial segments are assembled, and discuss proposed mechanisms for how the AIS contributes to maintenance of neuronal polarity.
authors.affiliation: Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Tammy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Szu-Yu Ho
authors.forename: Matthew N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Rasband
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D016764:Cell Polarity / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D015222:Sodium Channels