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Ankyrin-B structurally defines terminal microdomains of peripheral somatosensory axons.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Engelhardt, M; Vorwald, S; Sobotzik, J-M; Bennett, V; Schultz, C
Published in: Brain Struct Funct
July 2013

Axons are subdivided into functionally organized microdomains, which are required for generation and propagation of action potentials (APs). In the central nervous system (CNS), APs are generated near the soma in the axon initial segment (AIS) and propagated by nodes of Ranvier (noR). The crucial role of the membrane adapter proteins ankyrin-B and ankyrin-G as organizers of AIS and noR is now well established. By comparison, little is known on the localization and function of these proteins in sensory axon terminals of the peripheral nervous systems (PNS). Here, we tested the hypothesis that somatosensory PNS terminals are organized by distinct members of the ankyrin protein family. We discovered a specific distribution of ankyrin-B in somatosensory axon terminals of skin and muscle. Specifically, ankyrin-B was localized along the membrane of axons innervating Meissner corpuscles, Pacinian corpuscles and hair follicle receptors. Likewise, proprioceptive terminals of muscle spindles exhibited prominent ankyrin-B expression. Furthermore, ankyrin-B expression extended into nociceptive and thermoceptive intraepidermal nerve fibers. Interestingly, all studied somatosensory terminals were largely devoid of ankyrin-G, indicating that this scaffolding protein does not contribute to organization of mechanoelectric transduction zones in peripheral somatosensory neurons. Instead, we propose that ankyrin-B serves as a major membrane organizer in mechanoreceptive and nociceptive terminals of the PNS.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Brain Struct Funct

DOI

EISSN

1863-2661

Publication Date

July 2013

Volume

218

Issue

4

Start / End Page

1005 / 1016

Location

Germany

Related Subject Headings

  • Sus scrofa
  • Skin
  • Sensory Receptor Cells
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Rats
  • Peripheral Nervous System
  • Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • Muscles
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Mechanoreceptors
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Engelhardt, M., Vorwald, S., Sobotzik, J.-M., Bennett, V., & Schultz, C. (2013). Ankyrin-B structurally defines terminal microdomains of peripheral somatosensory axons. Brain Struct Funct, 218(4), 1005–1016. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-012-0443-0
Engelhardt, Maren, Silke Vorwald, Jürgen-Markus Sobotzik, Vann Bennett, and Christian Schultz. “Ankyrin-B structurally defines terminal microdomains of peripheral somatosensory axons.Brain Struct Funct 218, no. 4 (July 2013): 1005–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-012-0443-0.
Engelhardt M, Vorwald S, Sobotzik J-M, Bennett V, Schultz C. Ankyrin-B structurally defines terminal microdomains of peripheral somatosensory axons. Brain Struct Funct. 2013 Jul;218(4):1005–16.
Engelhardt, Maren, et al. “Ankyrin-B structurally defines terminal microdomains of peripheral somatosensory axons.Brain Struct Funct, vol. 218, no. 4, July 2013, pp. 1005–16. Pubmed, doi:10.1007/s00429-012-0443-0.
Engelhardt M, Vorwald S, Sobotzik J-M, Bennett V, Schultz C. Ankyrin-B structurally defines terminal microdomains of peripheral somatosensory axons. Brain Struct Funct. 2013 Jul;218(4):1005–1016.
Journal cover image

Published In

Brain Struct Funct

DOI

EISSN

1863-2661

Publication Date

July 2013

Volume

218

Issue

4

Start / End Page

1005 / 1016

Location

Germany

Related Subject Headings

  • Sus scrofa
  • Skin
  • Sensory Receptor Cells
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Rats
  • Peripheral Nervous System
  • Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • Muscles
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Mechanoreceptors