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K+ channel distribution and clustering in developing and hypomyelinated axons of the optic nerve

  • Published:
Journal of Neurocytology

Abstract

The localization of Shaker-type K+ channels in specialized domains of myelinated central nervous system axons was studied during development of the optic nerve. In adult rats Kv1.1, Kv1.2, Kv1.6, and the cytoplasmic β-subunit Kvβ2 were colocalized in juxtaparanodal zones. During development, clustering of K+ channels lagged behind that for nodal Na+ channels by about 5 days. In contrast to the PNS, K+ channels were initially expressed fully segregated from nodes and paranodes, the latter identified by immunofluorescence of Caspr, a component of axoglial junctions. Clusters of K+ channels were first detected at postnatal day 14 (P14) at a limited number of sites. Expression increased until all juxtaparanodes had immunoreactivity by P40. Developmental studies in hypomyelinating Shiverer mice revealed dramatically disrupted axoglial junctions, aberrant Na+ channel clusters, and little or no detectable clustering of K+ channels at all ages. These results suggest that in the optic nerve, compact myelin and normal axoglial junctions are essential for proper K+ channel clustering and localization.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA

    Matthew N. Rasband

  2. Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA

    James S. Trimmer

  3. The Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, 76100, Israel

    Elior Peles

  4. Department of Physiology, University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado, 80262, USA

    S. Rock Levinson

  5. Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA

    Peter Shrager

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  1. Matthew N. Rasband
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  2. James S. Trimmer
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  3. Elior Peles
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  4. S. Rock Levinson
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Rasband, M.N., Trimmer, J.S., Peles, E. et al. K+ channel distribution and clustering in developing and hypomyelinated axons of the optic nerve. J Neurocytol 28, 319–331 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007057512576

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