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The axon initial segment in nervous system disease and injury.

ABSTRACT: The axon initial segment (AIS), with its dense clusters of voltage-gated ion channels decorating the axonal membrane, regulates action potential initiation and modulation. The AIS also functions as a barrier to maintain axodendritic polarity, and its precise axonal location contributes to the fine-tuning of neuronal excitability. Therefore, it is not surprising that mutations in AIS-related genes, disruption of the molecular organization of the AIS and altered AIS ion channel expression, function, location and/or density are emerging as key players in neurological disorders. Here, we consider the role of the AIS in nervous system disease and injury.

SUBMITTER: Buffington SA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3482160 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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The axon initial segment in nervous system disease and injury.

Buffington Shelly A SA Rasband Matthew N MN

The European journal of neuroscience 20111101 10

The axon initial segment (AIS), with its dense clusters of voltage-gated ion channels decorating the axonal membrane, regulates action potential initiation and modulation. The AIS also functions as a barrier to maintain axodendritic polarity, and its precise axonal location contributes to the fine-tuning of neuronal excitability. Therefore, it is not surprising that mutations in AIS-related genes, disruption of the molecular organization of the AIS and altered AIS ion channel expression, functio ...[more]

PMID: 22103418

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