The axon initial segment (AIS) is the site of action potential generation and a locus of activity-dependent homeostatic plasticity. A multimeric complex of sodium channels, linked via a cytoskeletal scaffold of ankyrin G and beta IV spectrin to submembranous actin rings, mediates these functions. The mechanisms that specify the AIS complex to the proximal axon and underlie its plasticity remain poorly understood. Here we show phosphorylated myosin light chain (pMLC), an activator of contractile myosin II, is highly enriched in the assembling and mature AIS, where it associates with actin rings. MLC phosphorylation and myosin II contractile activity are required for AIS assembly, and they regulate the distribution of AIS components along the axon. pMLC is rapidly lost during depolarization, destabilizing actin and thereby providing a mechanism for activity-dependent structural plasticity of the AIS. Together, these results identify pMLC/myosin II activity as a common link between AIS assembly and plasticity.
Pubmed ID: 29395909 RIS Download
Publication data is provided by the National Library of Medicine ® and PubMed ®. Data is retrieved from PubMed ® on a weekly schedule. For terms and conditions see the National Library of Medicine Terms and Conditions.
This polyclonal targets SD domain of beta IV spectrin
View all literature mentionsThis unknown targets
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets Mbp
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets Sodium Channel, Pan
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets Kv2.1 K+ channel
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets Pan-Neurofascin (extracellular)
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets Ankyrin-G (Staining)
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets Beta4-spectrin
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets GREEN FLUORESCENT PROTEIN
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets Rabbit MYL6
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets Nonmuscle Myosin II-C Heavy Chain
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets Nonmuscle Myosin II Heavy Chain B (MHC-B)
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets Nonmuscle Myosin II Heavy Chain A (MHC-A)
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets MYL9
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets MAP2
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets Ankyrin G (463)
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets Phospho-Myosin Light Chain 2 (Thr18/Ser19)
View all literature mentionsAllele Detail: Targeted, Transgenic This is a legacy resource.
View all literature mentionsMus musculus with name C57BL/6NTac from IMSR.
View all literature mentionsRattus norvegicus with name NTac:SD from RGD.
View all literature mentions