Anti-GM1 antibodies cause complement-mediated disruption of sodium channel clusters in peripheral motor nerve fibers

Voltage-gated Na+ (Na(v)) channels are highly concentrated at nodes of Ranvier in myelinated axons and facilitate rapid action potential conduction. Autoantibodies to gangliosides such as GM1 have been proposed to disrupt nodal Nav channels and lead to Guillain-Barré syndrome, an autoimmune neuropathy characterized by acute limb weakness. To test this hypothesis, we examined the molecular organization of nodes in a disease model caused by immunization with gangliosides. At the acute phase with progressing limb weakness, Na(v) channel clusters were disrupted or disappeared at abnormally lengthened nodes concomitant with deposition of IgG and complement products. Paranodal axoglial junctions, the nodal cytoskeleton, and Schwann cell microvilli, all of which stabilize Na(v) channel clusters, were also disrupted. The nodal molecules disappeared in lesions with complement deposition but no localization of macrophages. During recovery, complement deposition at nodes decreased, and Na(v) channels redistributed on both sides of affected nodes. These results suggest that Na(v) channel alterations occur as a consequence of complement-mediated disruption of interactions between axons and Schwann cells. Our findings support the idea that acute motor axonal neuropathy is a disease that specifically disrupts the nodes of Ranvier.

Nodal protrusions, increased Schmidt-Lanterman incisures, and paranodal disorganization are characteristic features of sulfatide-deficient peripheral nerves

Galactocerebroside and sulfatide are two major glycolipids in myelin; however, their independent functions are not fully understood. The absence of these glycolipids causes disruption of paranodal junctions, which separate voltage-gated Na(+) and Shaker-type K(+) channels in the node and juxtaparanode, respectively. In contrast to glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS), myelinating Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) possess characteristic structures, including microvilli and Schmidt-Lanterman incisures, in addition to paranodal loops. All of these regions are involved in axo-glial interactions. In the present study, we examined cerebroside sulfotransferase-deficient mice to determine whether sulfatide is essential for axo-glial interactions in these PNS regions. Interestingly, marked axonal protrusions were observed in some of the nodal segments, which often contained abnormally enlarged vesicles, like degenerated mitochondria. Moreover, many transversely cut ends of microvilli surrounded the mutant nodes, suggesting that alignments of the microvilli were disordered. The mutant PNS showed mild elongation of nodal Na(+) channel clusters. Even though Caspr and NF155 were completely absent in half of the paranodes, short clusters of these molecules remained in the rest of the paranodal regions. Ultrastructural analysis indicated the presence of transverse bands in some paranodal regions and detachment of the outermost several loops. Furthermore, the numbers of incisures were remarkably increased in the mutant internode. Therefore, these results indicate that sulfatide may play an important role in the PNS, especially in the regions where myelin-axon interactions occur.

Gangliosides contribute to stability of paranodal junctions and ion channel clusters in myelinated nerve fibers

Paranodal axo-glial junctions are important for ion channel clustering and rapid action potential propagation in myelinated nerve fibers. Paranode formation depends on the cell adhesion molecules neurofascin (NF) 155 in glia, and a Caspr and contactin heterodimer in axons. We found that antibody to ganglioside GM1 labels paranodal regions. Autoantibodies to the gangliosides GM1 and GD1a are thought to disrupt nodes of Ranvier in peripheral motor nerves and cause Guillain-Barré syndrome, an autoimmune neuropathy characterized by acute limb weakness. To elucidate ganglioside function at and near nodes of Ranvier, we examined nodes in mice lacking gangliosides including GM1 and GD1a. In both peripheral and central nervous systems, some paranodal loops failed to attach to the axolemma, and immunostaining of Caspr and NF155 was attenuated. K(+) channels at juxtaparanodes were mislocalized to paranodes, and nodal Na(+) channel clusters were broadened. Abnormal immunostaining at paranodes became more prominent with age. Moreover, the defects were more prevalent in ventral than dorsal roots, and less frequent in mutant mice lacking the b-series gangliosides but with excess GM1 and GD1a. Electrophysiological studies revealed nerve conduction slowing and reduced nodal Na(+) current in mutant peripheral motor nerves. The amounts of Caspr and NF155 in low density, detergent insoluble membrane fractions were reduced in mutant brains. These results indicate that gangliosides are lipid raft components that contribute to stability and maintenance of neuron-glia interactions at paranodes.

Disruption of neurofascin localization reveals early changes preceding demyelination and remyelination in multiple sclerosis

Saltatory conduction in the nervous system is enabled through the intimate association between the leading edge of the myelin sheath and the axonal membrane to demarcate the node of Ranvier. The 186 kDa neuron specific isoform of the adhesion molecule neurofascin (Nfasc186) is required for the clustering of voltage gated Na+ channels at the node, whilst the 155 kDa glial specific isoform (Nfasc155) is required for the assembly of correct paranodal junctions. In order to understand the relationship between these vital structures and how they are affected in multiple sclerosis we have examined the expression of Nfasc155 and Nfasc186 in areas of inflammation, demyelination and remyelination from post-mortem brains. Fourteen cases of neuropathologically confirmed multiple sclerosis (8 female and 6 male; post-mortem delay 7-24 h; age 37-77 years; and disease duration 15-40 years), comprising 20 tissue blocks with 32 demyelinating or remyelinating lesions, were used in this study. A significant early alteration in Nfasc155+ paranodal structures occurs within and adjacent to actively demyelinating white matter lesions that are associated with damaged axons. Shaker-type Kv1.2 channels, normally located distally to the paranode, overlapped with the disrupted Nfasc155+ structures. In the absence of Nfasc155, Kv1.2 channels abutted normally clustered Nfasc186+ nodes, indicating that complete disruption of the paranodal structure and movement of Kv1.2 channels precede alterations at the node itself. Within areas of partial remyelination, a number of atypical triple-Nfasc155+ structures were noted that may represent transient oligodendrocyte-axonal contacts during the process of myelin repair or aberrant interactions. Within shadow plaques discretely clustered Na+v, Nfasc186+ and Nfasc155+ domains indicated the restoration of normal nodal architecture. The alterations in oligodendrocyte Nfasc155 expression that accompany inflammation and demyelination suggest an ongoing disruption to the axonal-oligodendrocyte complex within newly forming as well as established lesions in multiple sclerosis, resulting in destruction of the Nfasc186+/Na+v nodal complex vital to successful fast neurotransmission in the CNS.

Increased sodium channel immunofluorescence at myelinated and demyelinated sites following an inflammatory and partial axotomy lesion of the rat infraorbital nerve

The localization of sodium channels (NaChs) change following nerve lesions and this change may contribute to the development of increased pain states. Here we examine the change in distribution of NaChs within the rat infraorbital nerve (ION) two weeks after a combined inflammatory/partial axotomy lesion that results in behavior showing increased sensitivity to mechanical stimuli. Sections from experimental and normal control IONs were double-stained for indirect immunofluorescence using an antibody that identifies all NaCh isoforms and caspr-antibody to identify nodes of Ranvier, and a confocal microscope z-series of optically sectioned images were then obtained. ImageJ (NIH) software was used to quantify the area of pixels showing maximum NaCh intensity within both caspr and non-caspr associated accumulations. Analysis showed that the lesioned IONs had many more split nodes, heminodes and caspr-negative "naked" accumulations, a significantly increased area of NaCh staining within typical nodes and "naked" accumulations, as well as an increased density and size of significant accumulations when compared to normal IONs. This study demonstrates a dramatic redistribution and increased immunofluorescence of NaChs especially at myelinated and demyelinated sites in fibers located just proximal to the lesion. The remodeling of NaChs seen in this study may represent an important event associated with the development of increased nerve excitability after lesions.

Paranodal pathology in Tangier disease with remitting-relapsing multifocal neuropathy

Pathological studies of a sural nerve biopsy in a man with Tangier disease presenting as a remitting-relapsing multifocal neuropathy showed abnormalities in the paranodal regions, including lipid deposition (65%) and redundant myelin foldings, with various degrees of myelin splitting and vesiculation (43%) forming small tomacula and abnormal myelin terminal loops (4%). The internodal regions were normal in the majority of myelinated fibres. Abnormal lipid storage was also present in the Schwann cells of the majority of unmyelinated fibres (67%). The evidence suggests that the noncompacted myelin region of the paranode is a preferential site for lipid storage in the myelinated Schwann cell, and that the space-occupying effects of the cholesterol esters leads to paranodal malfunction and tomacula formation as the pathological basis for the multifocal relapsing-remitting clinical course.

Tight junctions in Schwann cells of peripheral myelinated axons: a lesson from claudin-19-deficient mice

Tight junction (TJ)-like structures have been reported in Schwann cells, but their molecular composition and physiological function remain elusive. We found that claudin-19, a novel member of the claudin family (TJ adhesion molecules in epithelia), constituted these structures. Claudin-19-deficient mice were generated, and they exhibited behavioral abnormalities that could be attributed to peripheral nervous system deficits. Electrophysiological analyses showed that the claudin-19 deficiency affected the nerve conduction of peripheral myelinated fibers. Interestingly, the overall morphology of Schwann cells lacking claudin-19 expression appeared to be normal not only in the internodal region but also at the node of Ranvier, except that TJs completely disappeared, at least from the outer/inner mesaxons. These findings have indicated that, similar to epithelial cells, Schwann cells also bear claudin-based TJs, and they have also suggested that these TJs are not involved in the polarized morphogenesis but are involved in the electrophysiological "sealing" function of Schwann cells.

CNP is required for maintenance of axon-glia interactions at nodes of Ranvier in the CNS

Axoglial interactions underlie the clustering of ion channels and of cell adhesion molecules, regulate gene expression, and control cell survival. We report that Cnp1-null mice, lacking expression of the myelin protein cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (CNP), have disrupted axoglial interactions in the central nervous system (CNS). Nodal sodium channels (Nav) and paranodal adhesion proteins (Caspr) are initially clustered normally, but become progressively disorganized with age. These changes are characterized by mislocalized Caspr immunostaining, combined with a decrease of clustered Na+ channels, and occur before axonal degeneration and microglial invasion, both prominent in older Cnp1-null mice. We suggest that CNP is a glial protein required for maintaining the integrity of paranodes and that disrupted axoglial signaling at this site underlies progressive axonal degeneration, observed later in the CNS of Cnp1-null mice.

Acute demyelination disrupts the molecular organization of peripheral nervous system nodes

Intraneurally injected lysolecithin causes both segmental and paranodal demyelination. In demyelinated internodes, axonal components of nodes fragment and disappear, glial and axonal paranodal and juxtaparanodal proteins no longer cluster, and axonal Kv1.1/Kv1.2 K+ channels move from the juxtaparanodal region to appose the remaining heminodes. In paranodal demyelination, a gap separates two distinct heminodes, each of which contains the molecular components of normal nodes; paranodal and juxtaparanodal proteins are properly localized. As in normal nodes, widened nodal regions contain little or no band 4.1B. Lysolecithin also causes "unwinding" of paranodes: The spiral of Schwann cell membrane moves away from the paranodes, but the glial and axonal components of septate-like junctions remain colocalized. Thus, acute demyelination has distinct effects on the molecular organization of the nodal, paranodal, and juxtaparanodal region, reflecting altered axon-Schwann cell interactions.

Disruption of Mtmr2 produces CMT4B1-like neuropathy with myelin outfolding and impaired spermatogenesis

Mutations in MTMR2, the myotubularin-related 2 gene, cause autosomal recessive Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) type 4B1, a demyelinating neuropathy with myelin outfolding and azoospermia. MTMR2 encodes a ubiquitously expressed phosphatase whose preferred substrate is phosphatidylinositol (3,5)-biphosphate, a regulator of membrane homeostasis and vesicle transport. We generated Mtmr2-null mice, which develop progressive neuropathy characterized by myelin outfolding and recurrent loops, predominantly at paranodal myelin, and depletion of spermatids and spermatocytes from the seminiferous epithelium, which leads to azoospermia. Disruption of Mtmr2 in Schwann cells reproduces the myelin abnormalities. We also identified a novel physical interaction in Schwann cells, between Mtmr2 and discs large 1 (Dlg1)/synapse-associated protein 97, a scaffolding molecule that is enriched at the node/paranode region. Dlg1 homologues have been located in several types of cellular junctions and play roles in cell polarity and membrane addition. We propose that Schwann cell-autonomous loss of Mtmr2-Dlg1 interaction dysregulates membrane homeostasis in the paranodal region, thereby producing outfolding and recurrent loops of myelin.

The raft-associated protein MAL is required for maintenance of proper axon--glia interactions in the central nervous system

The myelin and lymphocyte protein (MAL) is a tetraspan raft-associated proteolipid predominantly expressed by oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells. We show that genetic ablation of mal resulted in cytoplasmic inclusions within compact myelin, paranodal loops that are everted away from the axon, and disorganized transverse bands at the paranode–axon interface in the adult central nervous system. These structural changes were accompanied by a marked reduction of contactin-associated protein/paranodin, neurofascin 155 (NF155), and the potassium channel Kv1.2, whereas nodal clusters of sodium channels were unaltered. Initial formation of paranodal regions appeared normal, but abnormalities became detectable when MAL started to be expressed. Biochemical analysis revealed reduced myelin-associated glycoprotein, myelin basic protein, and NF155 protein levels in myelin and myelin-derived rafts. Our results demonstrate a critical role for MAL in the maintenance of central nervous system paranodes, likely by controlling the trafficking and/or sorting of NF155 and other membrane components in oligodendrocytes.

BetaIVSigma1 spectrin stabilizes the nodes of Ranvier and axon initial segments

Saltatory electric conduction requires clustered voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) at axon initial segments (AIS) and nodes of Ranvier (NR). A dense membrane undercoat is present at these sites, which is thought to be key for the focal accumulation of channels. Here, we prove that βIVΣ1 spectrin, the only βIV spectrin with an actin-binding domain, is an essential component of this coat. Specifically, βIVΣ1 coexists with βIVΣ6 at both AIS and NR, being the predominant spectrin at AIS. Removal of βIVΣ1 alone causes the disappearance of the nodal coat, an increased diameter of the NR, and the presence of dilations filled with organelles. Moreover, in myelinated cochlear afferent fibers, VGSC and ankyrin G clusters appear fragmented. These ultrastructural changes can explain the motor and auditory neuropathies present in βIVΣ1 −/− mice and point to the βIVΣ1 spectrin isoform as a master-stabilizing factor of AIS/NR membranes.

Internodes can nearly double in length with gradual elongation of the adult rat sciatic nerve

Leg lengthening procedure is used increasingly to treat leg length discrepancy and some forms of dwarfism. We investigated adaptation in rat sciatic nerve to the gradual nerve elongation that occurs with leg lengthening. Indirect nerve elongation was produced by leg lengthening by a total of 15, 30, 45, or 70 mm at a rate of 1 mm/day. One day after leg lengthening completion, transverse semithin sections of sciatic nerve were prepared and examined; a teased-fiber study also was performed. Elongation decreased axon diameter, but not significantly. In teased-fiber preparations, internodal length was increased by 93%, and the longest internode measured 3000 microm after leg lengthening by 70 mm. Slopes of fiber diameter-internodal length regression lines increased with increasing elongation. Paranodal demyelination caused by nerve elongation worsened as elongation increased, stimulating remyelination (i.e., intercalation of a segment). Only 0.8% of axons showed degeneration in the group with 70 mm of elongation. We concluded that adult rat sciatic nerve can adapt itself to leg lengthening procedure with even doubling internodal length.

Transforming growth factor beta 1 may regulate the stability of mature myelin sheaths

The molecular mechanisms underlying peripheral neuropathies have only been partially elucidated. In particular, the regulatory factors that control the stability and turnover of mature myelin are largely unknown. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1), and its associated receptors, are expressed by mature Schwann cells. On this basis, we postulated that TGF-beta1 may be an autocrine regulator of mature myelin. This hypothesis was tested by examining the ultrastructure of myelin in adult mice that have a null mutation of their TGF-beta1 gene. We report here that the myelin of these mice is grossly abnormal. At the nodes of Ranvier, the cytoplasmic collars of the Schwann cells were expanded and the myelin had a honeycomb appearance. Focal (tomacula-like) hypermyelin structures were observed in the internodal regions of a significant number of axons in mutant nerve, and were not observed in littermate controls. Axon diameters were within the normal range and no axonal pathology was evident in mutant nerve and macrophages were absent. Results imply that lack of TGF-beta1 may have a direct effect on Schwann cells. We suggest that TGF-beta1 may stabilise compact myelin via an autocrine mechanism.

Altered expression of ion channel isoforms at the node of Ranvier in P0-deficient myelin mutants

To elucidate the impact of myelinating Schwann cells on the molecular architecture of the node of Ranvier, we investigated the nodal expression of voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) isoforms and the localization of paranodal and juxtaparanodal membrane proteins in a severely affected Schwann cell mutant, the mouse deficient in myelin protein zero (P0). The abnormal myelin formation and compaction was associated with immature nodal cluster types of VGSC. Most strikingly, P0-deficient motor nerves displayed an ectopic nodal expression of the Na(v)1.8 isoform, where it is coexpressed with the ubiquitous Na(v)1.6 channel. Furthermore, Caspr was distributed asymmetrically or was even absent in the mutant nerve fibers. The potassium channel K(v)1.2 and Caspr2 were not confined to juxtaparanodes, but often protruding into the paranodes. Thus, deficiency of P0 leads to dysregulation of nodal VGSC isoforms and to altered localization of paranodal and juxtaparanodal components of the nodal complex.

Disrupted myelin and axon loss in the anterior commissure of the aged rhesus monkey

This study assesses the effects of age on the composition of the anterior commissure of the rhesus monkey. The anterior commissures of nine young (5-10 years), five middle-aged (15-20 years), and eight old (25-35 years) monkeys were examined by light and electron microscopy. In all, 90-95% of the nerve fibers in the anterior commissure are myelinated. With age, the structure of the myelin sheaths of some nerve fibers is altered. Some of the axons also show signs of degeneration and this leads to a loss of nerve fibers. Thus, in young and the middle-aged monkeys the mean number of myelinated nerve fibers in the anterior commissure is 2.2 x 10(6), while in the old monkeys the mean is 1.2 x 10(6). Increasing age is correlated with a reduction in the number of myelinated nerve fibers in the anterior commissure, an increase in the frequency of structural alterations in myelin sheaths, and an increase in the frequency of occurrence of degenerating axons. However, the number of myelinated nerve fibers is the only variable that correlates with cognition: in monkeys 5-20 years of age the fewer the number of nerve fibers the poorer the cognitive performance, as measured by our Cognitive Impairment Index (CII). The most common neuroglial cells in the anterior commissure are oligodendrocytes. They account for 86% of all neuroglial cell profiles, while astrocytes account for 9%, and microglial cells for 5% of profiles. There is no apparent change with age in the total numbers of neuroglial cells, although as they age each of the neuroglial cell types acquires some inclusions in their cytoplasm. The data, together with those from previous studies, support the concept that in aging there is a ubiquitous loss of myelinated nerve fibers from the brain and that fiber loss is preceded by alterations in the structure of many of the myelin sheaths.

Alcoholic neuropathy is clinicopathologically distinct from thiamine-deficiency neuropathy

Characteristics of alcoholic neuropathy have been obscured by difficulty in isolating them from features of thiamine-deficiency neuropathy. We assessed 64 patients with alcoholic neuropathy including subgroups without (ALN) and with (ALN-TD) coexisting thiamine deficiency. Thirty-two patients with nonalcoholic thiamine-deficiency neuropathy (TDN) also were investigated for comparison. In ALN, clinical symptoms were sensory-dominant and slowly progressive, predominantly impairing superficial sensation (especially nociception) with pain or painful burning sensation. In TDN, most cases manifested a motor-dominant and acutely progressive pattern, with impairment of both superficial and deep sensation. Small-fiber-predominant axonal loss in sural nerve specimens was characteristic of ALN, especially with a short history of neuropathy; long history was associated with regenerating small fibers. Large-fiber-predominant axonal loss predominated in TDN. Subperineurial edema was more prominent in TDN, whereas segmental de/remyelination resulting from widening of consecutive nodes of Ranvier was more frequent in ALN. Myelin irregularity was greater in ALN. ALN-TD showed a variable mixture of these features in ALN and TDN. We concluded that pure-form of alcoholic neuropathy (ALN) was distinct from pure-form of thiamine-deficiency neuropathy (TDN), supporting the view that alcoholic neuropathy can be caused by direct toxic effect of ethanol or its metabolites. However, features of alcoholic neuropathy is influenced by concomitant thiamine-deficiency state, having so far caused the obscure clinicopathological entity of alcoholic neuropathy.

Unique role of dystroglycan in peripheral nerve myelination, nodal structure, and sodium channel stabilization

Dystroglycan is a central component of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex implicated in the pathogenesis of several neuromuscular diseases. Although dystroglycan is expressed by Schwann cells, its normal peripheral nerve functions are unknown. Here we show that selective deletion of Schwann cell dystroglycan results in slowed nerve conduction and nodal changes including reduced sodium channel density and disorganized microvilli. Additional features of mutant mice include deficits in rotorod performance, aberrant pain responses, and abnormal myelin sheath folding. These data indicate that dystroglycan is crucial for both myelination and nodal architecture. Dystroglycan may be required for the normal maintenance of voltage-gated sodium channels at nodes of Ranvier, possibly by mediating trans interactions between Schwann cell microvilli and the nodal axolemma.

Early onset of degenerative changes at nodes of Ranvier in alpha-motor axons of Cntf null (-/-) mutant mice

The nodes of Ranvier are sites of specific interaction between Schwann cells and axons. Besides their crucial role in transmission of action potentials, the nodes of Ranvier and in particular the paranodal axon-Schwann cell networks (ASNs) are thought to function as local centers in large motor axons for removal, degradation, and disposal of organelles. In order to test whether ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), which is present at high levels in the Schwann cell cytoplasm, is involved in the maintenance of these structures, we have examined lumbar ventral root nerve fibers of alpha-motor neurons by electron microscopy in 3- and 9-month-old Cntf null ((-/-)) mutant mice. Nerve fibers and nodes of Ranvier in 3-month-old Cntf(-/-) mutants appeared morphologically normal, except that ASNs were more voluminous in the mutants than in wild-type control animals at this age. In 9-month-old Cntf(-/-) animals, morphological changes, such as reduction in nerve fiber and axon diameter, myelin sheath disruption, and loss of ASNs at nodes of Ranvier, were observed. These findings suggest that endogenous CNTF, in addition to its role in promoting motor neuron survival and regeneration, is needed for long-term maintenance of alpha-motor nerve fibers. The premature loss of paranodal ASNs in animals lacking CNTF, which seems to be a defect related to a disturbed interaction in the nodal region between the axon and its myelinating Schwann cells, could impede the maintenance of a normal milieu in the motor axon, preceding more general neuronal damage.

Nodal sodium channel domain integrity depends on the conformation of the paranodal junction, not on the presence of transverse bands

Our understanding of the role that axoglial interactions play in node of Ranvier formation and maintenance remains incomplete. Previous studies of CNS myelinated fibers of CGT-null mice showed abnormalities in the arrangement of paranodal myelin loops and absence of a conspicuous component of the paranodal junction, the ridge-like intercellular transverse bands. Axolemmal sodium channel domains were largely preserved at nodes of Ranvier but displayed some abnormalities in form. Using a combination of freeze-fracture and immunocytochemical methods, we have found additional evidence documenting abnormalities in the size, shape, and location of axolemmal sodium channel clusters in CGT-null mice as well as evidence that these nodal abnormalities are complementary to the organization of paranodal myelin loops, despite the absence of transverse bands. We conclude that the differentiated form of the nodal axolemma and the distribution of axolemmal sodium channels depend on the conformation of paranodal axoglial contacts but not on the presence of transverse bands at the sites of contact.

Ultrastructural analysis of the paranodal junction of myelinated fibers in 31-month-old-rats

Recent studies have revealed a significant decrease in white matter volume, including loss of myelin, with age but minimal decrease in gray matter volume (Guttmann et al., [1998] Neurology 50:972-978). Myelin is necessary for the rapid conduction of impulses along axons. Myelinated nerve includes various domains, the node of Ranvier, the paranodal region, the juxtaparanodal region and the internode. The paranodal junction may serve to anchor the myelin sheath to the axon. We analyzed the ultrastructure of the paranodal region in myelinated fibers from the aged rat brain. Severe alterations of myelinated fibers were observed in 31-month-old rats, resulting in the appearance of macrophages, splitting of the myelin sheath, myelin balloon formation and separation from the axon. Many paranodal retractions of myelinated axons occurred in the aged rats. It should be noted that the paranodal junction is functionally important, serving to anchor the myelin to the axon and that there is a diffusion barrier in the paranodal region. We analyzed myelin-related proteins from young and aged rat brains. The 21.5-kDa isoform of myelin basic protein (MBP) almost disappeared in the 31-month-old rats, whereas other myelin proteins were not significantly changed between young and aged rats. These results suggest that this isoform, a highly cationic charged major dense component protein that binds lipid bilayer in the membrane, may participate in the formation of a paranodal diffusion barrier at the myelin/noncompact membrane border.

Molecular and pathological effects of a modifier gene on deficiency of the sodium channel Scn8a (Na(v)1.6)

Scn8a encodes an abundant, widely distributed voltage-gated sodium channel found throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems. Mice with different mutant alleles of Scn8a provide models of the movement disorders ataxia, dystonia, tremor and progressive paralysis. We previously reported that the phenotype of the hypomorphic allele of Scn8a, medJ, is dependent upon an unlinked modifier locus, Scnm1. Strain C57BL/6J carries a sensitive allele of the modifier locus that results in juvenile lethality. We now provide evidence that the modifier acts on the splicing efficiency of the mutant splice donor site. Mutant mice display either 90% or 95% reduction in the proportion of correctly spliced mRNA, depending on modifier genotype. The abundance of the channel protein, Na(v)1.6, is also reduced by an order of magnitude in medJ mice, resulting in delayed maturation of nodes of Ranvier, slowed nerve conduction velocity, reduced muscle mass and reduction of brain metabolic activity. medJ mice provide a model for the physiological effects of sodium channel deficiency and the molecular mechanism of bigenic disease.