Subcellular control of membrane excitability in the axon.

Subcellular control of membrane excitability in the axon.
Curr Opin Neurobiol. 2019 Feb 19;57:117-125
Authors: Alpizar SA, Cho IH, Hoppa MB
Abstract
Ion channels are microscopic pore proteins in the membrane that open and close in response to chemical and electrical stimuli. This simple concept underlies rapid electrical signaling in the brain as well as several important aspects of neural plasticity. Although the soma accounts for less than 1% of many neurons by membrane area, it has been the major site of measuring ion channel function. However, the axon is one of the longest processes found in cellular biology and hosts a multitude of critical signaling functions in the brain. Not only does the axon initiate and rapidly propagate action potentials (APs) across the brain but it also forms the presynaptic terminals that convert these electrical inputs into chemical outputs. Here, we review recent advances in the physiological role of ion channels within the diverse landscape of the axon and presynaptic terminals.
PMID: 30784979 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Current Opinion in Neurobiology - February 19, 2019 Category: Neurology Authors: Alpizar SA, Cho IH, Hoppa MB Tags: Curr Opin Neurobiol Source Type: research