scholarly journals Axon initial segment cytoskeleton comprises a multiprotein submembranous coat containing sparse actin filaments

2014 ◽  
Vol 205 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven L. Jones ◽  
Farida Korobova ◽  
Tatyana Svitkina
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Initial Segment ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
Axon Initial Segment ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Neuronal Cell Adhesion Molecule ◽  
Voltage Gated Sodium Channels ◽  
Actin Structure ◽  
Action Potential Initiation

The axon initial segment (AIS) of differentiated neurons regulates action potential initiation and axon–dendritic polarity. The latter function depends on actin dynamics, but actin structure and functions at the AIS remain unclear. Using platinum replica electron microscopy (PREM), we have characterized the architecture of the AIS cytoskeleton in mature and developing hippocampal neurons. The AIS cytoskeleton assembly begins with bundling of microtubules and culminates in formation of a dense, fibrillar–globular coat over microtubule bundles. Immunogold PREM revealed that the coat contains a network of known AIS proteins, including ankyrin G, spectrin βIV, neurofascin, neuronal cell adhesion molecule, voltage-gated sodium channels, and actin filaments. Contrary to existing models, we find neither polarized actin arrays, nor dense actin meshworks in the AIS. Instead, the AIS contains two populations of sparse actin filaments: short, stable filaments and slightly longer dynamic filaments. We propose that stable actin filaments play a structural role for formation of the AIS diffusion barrier, whereas dynamic actin may promote AIS coat remodeling.

scholarly journals Tropomyosin Tpm3.1 is required to maintain the structure and function of the axon initial segment

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amr Abouelezz ◽  
Holly Stefen ◽  
Mikael Segerstråle ◽  
David Micinski ◽  
Rimante Minkeviciene ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Initial Segment ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Firing Frequency ◽  
Axon Initial Segment ◽  
Action Potential Initiation ◽  
Sodium Ion Channels ◽  
And Function ◽  
Filament Network

ABSTRACTThe axon initial segment (AIS) is the site of action potential initiation and serves as a vesicular filter and diffusion barrier that help maintain neuronal polarity. Recent studies have revealed details about a specialized structural complex in the AIS. While an intact actin cytoskeleton is required for AIS formation, pharmacological disruption of actin polymerization compromises the AIS vesicle filter but does not affect overall AIS structure. In this study, we found that the tropomyosin isoform Tpm3.1 decorates a population of relatively stable actin filaments in the AIS. Inhibiting Tpm3.1 in cultured hippocampal neurons led to the loss of AIS structure, the AIS vesicle filter, the clustering of sodium ion channels, and reduced firing frequency. We propose that Tpm3.1-decorated actin filaments form a stable actin filament network under the AIS membrane which provides a scaffold for membrane organization and AIS proteins.

scholarly journals Activity-dependent mismatch between axo-axonic synapses and the axon initial segment controls neuronal output

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (31) ◽  
pp. 9757-9762 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winnie Wefelmeyer ◽  
Daniel Cattaert ◽  
Juan Burrone
Keyword(s):  
Action Potential ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Initial Segment ◽  
Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
Axon Initial Segment ◽  
Action Potential Generation ◽  
Potential Generation ◽  
Auditory Nucleus

The axon initial segment (AIS) is a structure at the start of the axon with a high density of sodium and potassium channels that defines the site of action potential generation. It has recently been shown that this structure is plastic and can change its position along the axon, as well as its length, in a homeostatic manner. Chronic activity-deprivation paradigms in a chick auditory nucleus lead to a lengthening of the AIS and an increase in neuronal excitability. On the other hand, a long-term increase in activity in dissociated rat hippocampal neurons results in an outward movement of the AIS and a decrease in the cell’s excitability. Here, we investigated whether the AIS is capable of undergoing structural plasticity in rat hippocampal organotypic slices, which retain the diversity of neuronal cell types present at postnatal ages, including chandelier cells. These interneurons exclusively target the AIS of pyramidal neurons and form rows of presynaptic boutons along them. Stimulating individual CA1 pyramidal neurons that express channelrhodopsin-2 for 48 h leads to an outward shift of the AIS. Intriguingly, both the pre- and postsynaptic components of the axo-axonic synapses did not change position after AIS relocation. We used computational modeling to explore the functional consequences of this partial mismatch and found that it allows the GABAergic synapses to strongly oppose action potential generation, and thus downregulate pyramidal cell excitability. We propose that this spatial arrangement is the optimal configuration for a homeostatic response to long-term stimulation.

scholarly journals Formin Activity and mDia1 Contribute to Maintain Axon Initial Segment Composition and Structure

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Zhang ◽  
María Ciorraga ◽  
Pablo Mendez ◽  
Diana Retana ◽  
Norah Boumedine-Guignon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Initial Segment ◽  
Protein Transport ◽  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Brain Slices ◽  
Axon Initial Segment ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Protein Density ◽  
Voltage Gated Ion Channels

AbstractThe axon initial segment (AIS) is essential for maintaining neuronal polarity, modulating protein transport into the axon, and action potential generation. These functions are supported by a distinctive actin and microtubule cytoskeleton that controls axonal trafficking and maintains a high density of voltage-gated ion channels linked by scaffold proteins to the AIS cytoskeleton. However, our knowledge of the mechanisms and proteins involved in AIS cytoskeleton regulation to maintain or modulate AIS structure is limited. In this context, formins play a significant role in the modulation of actin and microtubules. We show that pharmacological inhibition of formins modifies AIS actin and microtubule characteristics in cultured hippocampal neurons, reducing F-actin density and decreasing microtubule acetylation. Moreover, formin inhibition diminishes sodium channels, ankyrinG and βIV-spectrin AIS density, and AIS length, in cultured neurons and brain slices, accompanied by decreased neuronal excitability. We show that genetic downregulation of the mDia1 formin by interference RNAs also decreases AIS protein density and shortens AIS length. The ankyrinG decrease and AIS shortening observed in pharmacologically inhibited neurons and neuron-expressing mDia1 shRNAs were impaired by HDAC6 downregulation or EB1-GFP expression, known to increase microtubule acetylation or stability. However, actin stabilization only partially prevented AIS shortening without affecting AIS protein density loss. These results suggest that mDia1 maintain AIS composition and length contributing to the stability of AIS microtubules.

scholarly journals Proline-rich transmembrane protein 2 (PRRT2) regulates the actin cytoskeleton during synaptogenesis

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa Savino ◽  
Romina Inès Cervigni ◽  
Miriana Povolo ◽  
Alessandra Stefanetti ◽  
Daniele Ferrante ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Neurotransmitter Release ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Transmembrane Protein ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
Cell Aggregation ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Filamentous Actin

Abstract Mutations in proline-rich transmembrane protein 2 (PRRT2) have been recently identified as the leading cause of a clinically heterogeneous group of neurological disorders sharing a paroxysmal nature, including paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia and benign familial infantile seizures. To date, studies aimed at understanding its physiological functions in neurons have mainly focused on its ability to regulate neurotransmitter release and neuronal excitability. Here, we show that PRRT2 expression in non-neuronal cell lines inhibits cell motility and focal adhesion turnover, increases cell aggregation propensity, and promotes the protrusion of filopodia, all processes impinging on the actin cytoskeleton. In primary hippocampal neurons, PRRT2 silencing affects the synaptic content of filamentous actin and perturbs actin dynamics. This is accompanied by defects in the density and maturation of dendritic spines. We identified cofilin, an actin-binding protein abundantly expressed at the synaptic level, as the ultimate effector of PRRT2. Indeed, PRRT2 silencing unbalances cofilin activity leading to the formation of cofilin-actin rods along neurites. The expression of a cofilin phospho-mimetic mutant (cof-S3E) is able to rescue PRRT2-dependent defects in synapse density, spine number and morphology, but not the alterations observed in neurotransmitter release. Our data support a novel function of PRRT2 in the regulation of the synaptic actin cytoskeleton and in the formation of synaptic contacts.

scholarly journals Differential Effects of Axon Initial Segment and Somatodendritic GABAA Receptors on Excitability Measures in Rat Dentate Granule Neurons

2011 ◽  
Vol 105 (1) ◽  
pp. 366-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricio Rojas ◽  
Alejandro Akrouh ◽  
Lawrence N. Eisenman ◽  
Steven Mennerick
Keyword(s):  
Action Potential ◽  
Initial Segment ◽  
Input Resistance ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Axon Initial Segment ◽  
Granule Neurons ◽  
Voltage Threshold ◽  
Granule Neuron ◽  
Action Potential Initiation ◽  
Potential Initiation

GABAA receptors are found on the somatodendritic compartment and on the axon initial segment of many principal neurons. The function of axonal receptors remains obscure, although it is widely assumed that axonal receptors must have a strong effect on excitability. We found that activation of GABAA receptors on the dentate granule neuron axon initial segment altered excitability by depolarizing the voltage threshold for action potential initiation under conditions that minimally affected overall cell input resistance. In contrast, activation of somatic GABAA receptors strongly depressed the input resistance of granule neurons without affecting the voltage threshold of action potential initiation. Although these effects were observed over a range of intracellular chloride concentrations, average voltage threshold was unaffected when ECl rendered GABAA axon initial segment responses explicitly excitatory. A compartment model of a granule neuron confirmed these experimental observations. Low ambient agonist concentrations designed to activate granule neuron tonic currents did not stimulate axonal receptors sufficiently to raise voltage threshold. Using excitatory postsynaptic current (EPSC)-like depolarizations, we show physiological consequences of axonal versus somatic GABAA receptor activation. With axonal inhibition, individual excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) largely retained their amplitude and time course, but EPSPs that were suprathreshold under basal conditions failed to reach threshold with GABAA activation. By contrast, somatic inhibition depressed individual EPSPs because of strong shunting. Our results suggest that axonal GABAA receptors have a privileged effect on voltage threshold and that two major measures of neuronal excitability, voltage threshold and rheobase, are differentially affected by axonal and somatic GABAA receptor activation.

scholarly journals Networks of Polarized Actin Filaments in the Axon Initial Segment Provide a Mechanism for Sorting Axonal and Dendritic Proteins

Cell Reports ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 1546-1553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaori Watanabe ◽  
Sarmad Al-Bassam ◽  
Yusuke Miyazaki ◽  
Thomas J. Wandless ◽  
Paul Webster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Initial Segment ◽  
Axon Initial Segment

scholarly journals Axon Initial Segment Cytoskeleton: Architecture, Development, and Role in Neuron Polarity

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven L. Jones ◽  
Tatyana M. Svitkina
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Initial Segment ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Axon Initial Segment ◽  
Action Potential Firing ◽  
Potential Firing ◽  
Triangular Network ◽  
Specialized Structure ◽  
Architecture Development ◽  
Neuron Polarity

The axon initial segment (AIS) is a specialized structure in neurons that resides in between axonal and somatodendritic domains. The localization of the AIS in neurons is ideal for its two major functions: it serves as the site of action potential firing and helps to maintain neuron polarity. It has become increasingly clear that the AIS cytoskeleton is fundamental to AIS functions. In this review, we discuss current understanding of the AIS cytoskeleton with particular interest in its unique architecture and role in maintenance of neuron polarity. The AIS cytoskeleton is divided into two parts, submembrane and cytoplasmic, based on localization, function, and molecular composition. Recent studies using electron and subdiffraction fluorescence microscopy indicate that submembrane cytoskeletal components (ankyrin G,βIV-spectrin, and actin filaments) form a sophisticated network in the AIS that is conceptually similar to the polygonal/triangular network of erythrocytes, with some important differences. Components of the AIS cytoplasmic cytoskeleton (microtubules, actin filaments, and neurofilaments) reside deeper within the AIS shaft and display structural features distinct from other neuronal domains. We discuss how the AIS submembrane and cytoplasmic cytoskeletons contribute to different aspects of AIS polarity function and highlight recent advances in understanding their AIS cytoskeletal assembly and stability.

scholarly journals The Cell Adhesion Molecule Neurofascin Stabilizes Axo-axonic GABAergic Terminals at the Axon Initial Segment

2011 ◽  
Vol 286 (27) ◽  
pp. 24385-24393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Kriebel ◽  
Jennifer Metzger ◽  
Sabine Trinks ◽  
Deepti Chugh ◽  
Robert J. Harvey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Adhesion ◽  
Adhesion Molecule ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Initial Segment ◽  
Cell Adhesion Molecule ◽  
Synapse Formation ◽  
Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Axon Initial Segment ◽  
Adult Rat ◽  
Receptor Clusters

Cell adhesion molecules regulate synapse formation and maintenance via transsynaptic contact stabilization involving both extracellular interactions and intracellular postsynaptic scaffold assembly. The cell adhesion molecule neurofascin is localized at the axon initial segment of granular cells in rat dentate gyrus, which is mainly targeted by chandelier cells. Lentiviral shRNA-mediated knockdown of neurofascin in adult rat brain indicates that neurofascin regulates the number and size of postsynaptic gephyrin scaffolds, the number of GABAA receptor clusters as well as presynaptic glutamate decarboxylase-positive terminals at the axon initial segment. By contrast, overexpression of neurofascin in hippocampal neurons increases gephyrin cluster size presumably via stimulation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 signaling pathways.

scholarly journals Polarized localization of voltage-gated Na+ channels is regulated by concerted FGF13 and FGF14 action

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (19) ◽  
pp. E2665-E2674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Lorenzo Pablo ◽  
Chaojian Wang ◽  
Matthew M. Presby ◽  
Geoffrey S. Pitt
Keyword(s):  
Action Potential ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Single Point ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Surface Expression ◽  
Voltage Gated ◽  
Voltage Gated Sodium Channels ◽  
Action Potential Initiation ◽  
Potential Initiation

Clustering of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) within the neuronal axon initial segment (AIS) is critical for efficient action potential initiation. Although initially inserted into both somatodendritic and axonal membranes, VGSCs are concentrated within the axon through mechanisms that include preferential axonal targeting and selective somatodendritic endocytosis. How the endocytic machinery specifically targets somatic VGSCs is unknown. Here, using knockdown strategies, we show that noncanonical FGF13 binds directly to VGSCs in hippocampal neurons to limit their somatodendritic surface expression, although exerting little effect on VGSCs within the AIS. In contrast, homologous FGF14, which is highly concentrated in the proximal axon, binds directly to VGSCs to promote their axonal localization. Single-point mutations in FGF13 or FGF14 abrogating VGSC interaction in vitro cannot support these specific functions in neurons. Thus, our data show how the concerted actions of FGF13 and FGF14 regulate the polarized localization of VGSCs that supports efficient action potential initiation.

scholarly journals The Palmitoyl Acyltransferase ZDHHC14 Controls Kv1-Family Potassium Channel Clustering at the Axon Initial Segment

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaun S. Sanders ◽  
Luiselys M. Hernandez ◽  
Heun Soh ◽  
Santi Karnam ◽  
Randall S. Walikonis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Potassium Channels ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Initial Segment ◽  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Pdz Domain ◽  
Axon Initial Segment ◽  
Type I ◽  
Action Potential Firing ◽  
Potential Firing ◽  
Palmitoyl Acyltransferase

AbstractThe palmitoyl acyltransferase (PAT) ZDHHC14 is highly expressed in the hippocampus and is the only PAT predicted to bind Type I PDZ domain-containing proteins. However, ZDHHC14’s neuronal roles are unknown. Here, we identify the PDZ domain-containing Membrane-associated Guanylate Kinase (MaGUK) PSD93 as a direct ZDHHC14 interactor and substrate. PSD93, but not other MaGUKs, localizes to the Axon Initial Segment (AIS). Using lentiviral-mediated shRNA knockdown in rat hippocampal neurons, we find that ZDHHC14 controls palmitoylation and AIS clustering of PSD93 and also of Kv1 potassium channels, which directly bind PSD93. Neurodevelopmental expression of ZDHHC14 mirrors that of PSD93 and Kv1 channels and, consistent with ZDHHC14’s importance for Kv1 channel clustering, loss of ZDHHC14 decreases outward currents and increases action potential firing in hippocampal neurons. To our knowledge, these findings identify the first neuronal roles and substrates for ZDHHC14 and reveal a previously unappreciated role for palmitoylation in control of neuronal excitability.Impact StatementZDHHC14 controls palmitoylation and axon initial segment targeting of PSD93 and Kv1-family potassium channels, events that are essential for normal neuronal excitability.

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