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Measuring Properties of the Membrane Periodic Skeleton of the Axon Initial Segment using 3D-Structured Illumination Microscopy 3D-SIM
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The Actin/Spectrin Membrane-Associated Periodic Skeleton in Neurons
Nicolas Unsain1,2,3, Fernando D Stefani4,5, Alfredo Cáceres1,2,3
1Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra (INIMEC), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina.
Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience
|June 8, 2018
Summary
Neurons possess a unique membrane-associated periodic skeleton (MPS) made of actin and spectrin. This essential axonal structure supports neuronal integrity and function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Neurons exhibit extreme asymmetry, with axons extending significantly longer than their soma diameter.
- Recent fluorescence nanoscopy revealed a membrane-associated periodic skeleton (MPS) in mature axons.
- The MPS is a supramolecular structure of actin rings and spectrin spacers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current knowledge on the structure, dynamics, and function of the MPS in neuronal biology.
- To explore the MPS's role in supporting axonal structural integrity.
- To investigate the MPS's involvement in membrane compartmentalization and protein organization.
Main Methods:
- Fluorescence nanoscopy techniques were employed to visualize the MPS.
- Analysis of MPS organization in various neuronal subdomains (axons, dendrites, dendritic spines).
- Examination of MPS presence in non-neuronal cells like oligodendrocytes and microglia.
Main Results:
- The MPS is ubiquitously present in mature axons of diverse neuronal types.
- The MPS structure is conserved across different neuronal compartments and in some non-neuronal cells.
- Hypothesized roles include structural support for axons and membrane protein organization.
Conclusions:
- The membrane-associated periodic skeleton is a fundamental structure in neurons, particularly axons.
- The MPS likely plays critical roles in maintaining axonal stability and regulating membrane protein distribution.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the dynamics and functional impact of the MPS.
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