Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026

10:40
Measuring Neuromuscular Junction Functionality
Published on: August 6, 2017
Sulfatide decrease in myelin influences formation of the paranodal axo-glial junction and conduction velocity in the
Akiko Hayashi1, Naoki Kaneko, Chiaki Tomihira
1Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan.
Glia
|January 17, 2013
Summary
Cerebroside sulfotransferase (CST) deficiency reduces myelin sulfatide, impacting nerve function. This study links sulfatide levels to paranodal abnormalities and reduced nerve conduction velocity (NCV) in mice.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Sulfatides, major myelin glycolipids, are produced by cerebroside sulfotransferase (CST).
- CST knockout mice show neurological deficits and myelin abnormalities, but the impact of partial sulfatide reduction is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional significance of myelin sulfatide content on paranodal formation and nerve conduction velocity (NCV).
Main Methods:
- Electrophysiological, morphological, and biochemical analyses of peripheral nerves from heterozygote, homozygote, and wild-type mice.
- Immunostaining of nerve fibers to measure Na(+) channel and Caspr cluster lengths.
- Thin layer chromatography to quantify sulfatide content.
Main Results:
- Significant reduction in NCV in homozygote mice compared to wild-type.
- Heterozygote mice showed varied NCV, allowing classification into normal and reduced NCV groups.
- Correlations found between sulfatide levels, paranodal abnormalities, and reduced NCV.
Conclusions:
- Fine regulation of myelin sulfatide by CST is crucial for normal myelinated axon function.
- Partial decreases in sulfatide impact paranodal integrity and nerve conduction.
Related Concept Videos
Nervous Tissue: Myelin
The myelin sheath is a multilayered lipid and protein covering that insulates the axon of a neuron, enhancing the speed of nerve impulse conduction. Axons without this sheath are referred to as unmyelinated. Two types of neuroglia, Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS) are responsible for producing myelin sheaths.
Schwann cells begin to form myelin sheaths around axons during fetal development. They wrap around a small...
Schwann cells begin to form myelin sheaths around axons during fetal development. They wrap around a small...
Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue
In the CNS, neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons from stem cells, is limited to the hippocampus in adults. In other regions of the brain and spinal cord, neurogenesis is almost non-existent due to inhibitory influences from neuroglia, especially oligodendrocytes, and the absence of growth-stimulating cues. The myelin produced by oligodendrocytes in the CNS inhibits neuronal regeneration. Furthermore, astrocytes proliferate rapidly after neuronal damage, forming scar tissue that physically...
Action Potentials
Overview
Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology
Early Ischemia and Ionic ImbalanceWithin minutes of spinal cord injury, a secondary cascade begins, progressing over hours to weeks. Vascular damage reduces blood flow, causing ischemia and mitochondrial dysfunction. ATP depletion leads to ion pump failure, membrane depolarization, sodium influx, potassium efflux, and water accumulation, resulting in cellular swelling. Increased intracellular calcium further disrupts mitochondria and accelerates cellular injury.Excitotoxicity and Neuronal...
Action Potential
Neurons communicate by firing action potentials—the electrochemical signal that is propagated along the axon. The signal results in the release of neurotransmitters at axon terminals, thereby transmitting information to the nervous system. An action potential is a specific "all-or-none" change in membrane potential that results in a rapid spike in voltage.
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...
Action Potential
Neurons communicate by firing action potentials—the electrochemical signal that is propagated along the axon. The signal results in the release of neurotransmitters at axon terminals, thereby transmitting information to the nervous system. An action potential is a specific "all-or-none" change in membrane potential that results in a rapid spike in voltage.
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...