Modeling protein-protein interactions in axon initial segment to understand their potential impact on action potential initiation

The axon initial segment(AIS)region is crucial for action potential initiation due to the presence of high-density AIS protein voltage-gated sodium channels(Nav).Nav channels comprise several serine residues responsible for the recruitment of Nav channels into the structure of AIS through interactions with ankyrin-G(AnkG).In this study,a series of computational experiments are performed to understand the role of AIS proteins casein kinase 2 and AnkG on Nav channel recruitment into the AIS.The computational simulation results using Virtual cell software indicate that Nav channels with all serine sites available for phosphorylation bind to AnkG with strong affinity.At the low initial concentration of AnkG and casein kinase 2,the concentration of Nav channels reduces significantly,suggesting the importance of casein kinase 2 and AnkG in the recruitment of Nav channels.

Reassembly of the axon initial segment and nodes of Ranvier in regenerated axons of the central nervous system

Myelinated axons of the peripheral and central nervous system（PNS＆CNS）are divided into molecularly distinct excitable domains,including the axon initial segment（AIS）and nodes of Ranvier.The AIS is composed of a dense network of cytoskeletal proteins,cell adhesion molecules,and voltage gated ion channels and is located at the proximal most region of the axon（Koleand Stuart, 2012）.

Differences in action potential propagation speed and axon initial segment plasticity between neurons from Sprague-Dawley rats and C57BL/6 mice

Action potentials(APs)in neurons are generated at the axon initial segment(AIS).AP dynamics,including initiation and propagation,are intimately associated with neuronal excitability and neurotransmitter release kinetics.Most learning and memory studies at the single-neuron level have relied on the use of animal models,most notably rodents.Here,we studied AP initiation and propagation in cultured hippocampal neurons from Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats and C57BL/6(C57)mice with genetically encoded voltage indicator(GEVI)-based voltage imaging.Our data showed that APs traveled bidirectionally in neurons from both species;forward-propagating APs(fpAPs)had a different speed than backpropagating APs(bpAPs).Additionally,we observed distinct AP propagation characteristics in AISs emerging from the somatic envelope compared to those originating from dendrites.Compared with rat neurons,mouse neurons exhibited higher bpAP speed and lower fpAP speed,more distally located ankyrin G(AnkG)in AISs,and longer Nav1.2 lengths in AISs.Moreover,during AIS plasticity,AnkG and Nav1.2 showed distal shifts in location and shorter lengths of labeled AISs in rat neurons;in mouse neurons,however,they showed a longer AnkG-labeled length and more distal Nav1.2 location.Our findings suggest that hippocampal neurons in SD rats and C57 mice may have different AP propagation speeds,different AnkG and Nav1.2 patterns in the AIS,and different AIS plasticity properties,indicating that comparisons between these species must be carefully considered.

Bi-directional Control of Synaptic Input Summation and Spike Generation by GABAergic Inputs at the Axon Initial Segment

Differing from other subtypes of inhibitory interneuron,chandelier or axo-axonic cells form depolarizing GABAergic synapses exclusively onto the axon initial segment(AIS)of targeted pyramidal cells(PCs).However,the debate whether these AIS-GABAergic inputs produce excitation or inhibition in neuronal processing is not resolved.Using realistic NEURON modeling and electrophysiological recording of cortical layer-5 PCs,we quantitatively demonstrate that the onset-timing of AIS-GABAergic input,relative to dendritic excitatory glutamatergic inputs,determines its bi-directional regulation of the efficacy of synaptic integration and spike generation in a PC.More specifically,AIS-GABAergic inputs promote the boosting effect of voltage-activated Na+channels on summed synaptic excitation when they precede glutamatergic inputs by>15 ms,while for nearly concurrent excitatory inputs,they primarily produce a shunting inhibition at the AIS.Thus,our findings offer an integrative mechanism by which AIS-targeting interneurons exert sophisticated regulation of the input-output function in targeted PCs.

Projection-Specific Heterogeneity of the Axon Initial Segment of Pyramidal Neurons in the Prelimbic Cortex

The axon initial segment(AIS)is a highly specialized axonal compartment where the action potential is initiated.The heterogeneity of AISs has been suggested to occur between interneurons and pyramidal neurons(PyNs),which likely contributes to their unique spiking properties.However,whether the various characteristics of AISs can be linked to specific PyN subtypes remains unknown.Here,we report that in the prelimbic cortex(PL)of the mouse,two types of PyNs with axon projections either to the contralateral PL or to the ipsilateral basal lateral amygdala,possess distinct AIS properties reflected by morphology,ion channel expression,action potential initiation,and axo-axonic synaptic inputs from chandelier cells.Furthermore,projection-specific AIS diversity is more prominent in the superficial layer than in the deep layer.Thus,our study reveals the cortical layer-and axon projection-specific heterogeneity of PyN AISs,which may endow the spiking of various PyN types with exquisite modulation.

Regulation of Axon Initial Segment Diameter by COUP-TFI Fine-tunes Action Potential Generation

The axon initial segment(AIS)is a specialized structure that controls neuronal excitability via action potential(AP)generation.Currently,AIS plasticity with regard to changes in length and location in response to neural activity has been extensively investigated,but how AIS diameter is regulated remains elusive.Here we report that COUP-TFI(chicken ovalbumin upstream promotor-transcription factor 1)is an essential regulator of AIS diameter in both developing and adult mouse neocortex.Either embryonic or adult ablation of COUP-TFI results in reduced AIS diameter and impaired AP generation.Although COUP-TFI ablations in sparse single neurons and in populations of neurons have similar impacts on AIS diameter and AP generation,they strengthen and weaken,respectively,the receiving spontaneous network in mutant neurons.In contrast,overexpression of COUP-TFI in sparse single neurons increases the AIS diameter and facilitates AP generation,but decreases the receiving spontaneous network.Our findings demonstrate that COUP-TFI is indispensable for both the expansion and maintenance of AIS diameter and that AIS diameter fine-tunes action potential generation and synaptic inputs in mammalian cortical neurons.

Neurons with Multiple Axons Have Functional Axon Initial Segments

Neurons grow multiple axons after treatment with glycogen synthase kinase-3（GSK-3） inhibitors. However,whether they are electrically active is not known. Here, we examined the role of multiple axons as electrophysiological components during neuronal firing. Combining pharmacological, immunofluorescence, and electrophysiological methods, we found that more neurons had multiple axon initial segments（AISs） after inhibition of GSK-3 activity with SB415286. The multiple AISs induced by GSK-3 inhibition were enriched with voltage-gated sodium channels. The depolarization rate of the multiple-AIS neurons was increased, but their action potential threshold and halfwidth were normal. By calculating derivatives of the actionpotential rising phase, an extra d2 V/dt2 peak from the extra AIS was distinguished; this indicated that the extra AIS fired ahead of the soma and increased the rate of depolarization.Our study demonstrates that the multiple axons induced by GSK-3 inhibition have AIS structures that are electrically active, and provides insight for axon and AIS studies.