Internodal specializations of myelinated axons in the central nervous system

Abstract.

We have examined the localization of contactin-associated protein (Caspr), the Shaker-type potassium channels, Kv1.1 and Kv1.2, their associated β subunit, Kvβ2, and Caspr2 in the myelinated fibers of the CNS. Caspr is localized to the paranodal axonal membrane, and Kv1.1, Kv1.2, Kvβ2 and Caspr2 to the juxtaparanodal membrane. In addition to the paranodal staining, an internodal strand of Caspr staining apposes the inner mesaxon of the myelin sheath. Unlike myelinated axons in the peripheral nervous system, there was no internodal strand of Kv1.1, Kv1.2, Kvβ2, or Caspr2. Thus, the organization of the nodal, paranodal, and juxtaparanodal axonal membrane is similar in the central and peripheral nervous systems, but the lack of Kv1.1/Kv1.2/Kvβ2/Caspr2 internodal strands indicates that the oligodendrocyte myelin sheaths lack a trans molecular interaction with axons, an interaction that is present in Schwann cell myelin sheaths.