Mechanisms of CNS node of Ranvier formation

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PROJECT SUMMARY Rapid and efficient propagation of action potentials in the mammalian nervous system requires both myelination and the high-density clustering of voltage-gated ion channels at gaps in the myelin sheath called nodes of Ranvier. Although many demyelinating diseases and injuries cause disruption of nodes and nervous system dysfunction, the mechanisms that are responsible for ion channel clustering at central nervous system (CNS) nodes of Ranvier remain unknown. We propose that three distinct cellular and molecular interactions contribute to CNS node formation and maintenance: 1) interactions between axonal cell adhesion molecules and a unique CNS nodal extracellular matrix, 2) interactions between axons and myelinating glia at paranodal junctions set up a membrane protein diffusion barrier to restrict the lateral mobility of nodal proteins, and 3) interactions between nodal membrane proteins and nodal cytoskeletal scaffolds maintain high density clusters of ion channels. Thus, multiple, overlapping mechanisms may exist in the CNS to facilitate ion channel clustering at nodes of Ranvier. In this project we will undertake both cell biological and genetic methods to determine the mechanisms underlying CNS node of Ranvier formation. We will focus on the extrinsic, glial-derived interactions that are necessary for CNS node formation. In the first aim we will elucidate the molecular interactions between nodal cell adhesion molecules and CNS nodal ECM proteins. We will determine if soluble ECM proteins are sufficient to induce clustering of nodal proteins in purified neuronal cultures. In the second aim we will perform genetic analyses of single, double, and triple knockout mice lacking extracellular matrix molecules, paranodal junctions, and/or cytoskeletal interactions to uncover the existence of, and requirement for, each overlapping mechanism.