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Articles, Cellular/Molecular

Fast Sodium Channel Gating Supports Localized and Efficient Axonal Action Potential Initiation

Christoph Schmidt-Hieber and Josef Bischofberger
Journal of Neuroscience 28 July 2010, 30 (30) 10233-10242; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.6335-09.2010
Christoph Schmidt-Hieber
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Josef Bischofberger
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Abstract

Action potentials (APs) are initiated in the proximal axon of most neurons. In myelinated axons, a 50-times higher sodium channel density in the initial segment compared to the soma may account for this phenomenon. However, little is known about sodium channel density and gating in proximal unmyelinated axons. To study the mechanisms underlying AP initiation in unmyelinated hippocampal mossy fibers of adult mice, we recorded sodium currents in axonal and somatic membrane patches. We demonstrate that sodium channel density in the proximal axon is ∼5 times higher than in the soma. Furthermore, sodium channel activation and inactivation are ∼2 times faster. Modeling revealed that the fast activation localized the initiation site to the proximal axon even upon strong synaptic stimulation, while fast inactivation contributed to energy-efficient membrane charging during APs. Thus, sodium channel gating and density in unmyelinated mossy fiber axons appear to be specialized for robust AP initiation and propagation with minimal current flow.

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The Journal of Neuroscience: 30 (30)
Journal of Neuroscience
Vol. 30, Issue 30
28 Jul 2010
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Fast Sodium Channel Gating Supports Localized and Efficient Axonal Action Potential Initiation
Christoph Schmidt-Hieber, Josef Bischofberger
Journal of Neuroscience 28 July 2010, 30 (30) 10233-10242; DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.6335-09.2010

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Fast Sodium Channel Gating Supports Localized and Efficient Axonal Action Potential Initiation
Christoph Schmidt-Hieber, Josef Bischofberger
Journal of Neuroscience 28 July 2010, 30 (30) 10233-10242; DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.6335-09.2010
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