Topic: axonal initial segment

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a network of membranes that regulates different cellular processes such as protein and lipid biogenesis, Ca2+ homeostasis and transport. Within neurons, the ER surface is huge and forms distinct structures depending on its cellular localization. Dense stacks of ER membranes, known as cisterna, have been identified in neurons, notably within the axonal initial segment (AIS, cisternal organelle) and dendritic spines (spine apparatus). While the specific functions of these cisternal structures are not fully understood, their role in spines is associated with calc

The axonal initial segment (AIS) is a crucial neuronal subdomain that coordinates the axo-dendritic polarity establishment and maintenance and constitutes the site for action potential (AP) initiation. Its integrity relies on proteins like AnkyrinG (AnkG) which, by organizing the cytoskeleton, anchor the ionic channels necessary for AP generation. Many AIS proteins are linked to neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) like epilepsy or autism and the AIS proteome deciphering is warranted to provide insight into novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of human diseases of the nervous system.Plana