Topic: action potential generation

The axon initial segment (AIS) is a critical compartment in neurons. It converts postsynaptic input into action potentials that trigger information transfer to target cells. This process relies on several voltage-gated sodium (Nav) and potassium (Kv) channels that accumulate in high densities at the AIS. Here, we identify the mechanosensitive potassium channel TRAAK (K2P4.1) as a component of the AIS in adult rat hippocampus and in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. We furthermore show that the AIS localization of TRAAK is driven by a C-terminal sequence that bears resemblance to ankyrin G bind

In the retina, multiple processing steps contribute to the neuronal signals sent to higher visual centers. Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are the final output neurons in the retinal pathway; their output is thought to be mainly determined by presynaptic inputs; however, recent evidence suggests that the biophysical properties of RGCs such as the axon initial segment (AIS) also play an important part in signal modulation.Whole-cell patch-clamp experiments were performed to measure the spiking responses of ON-alpha sustained (ON-αs), OFF-alpha sustained (OFF-αs), and OFF-alpha transient (OFF-αt)