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The localization of sodium and calcium to Schwann cell paranodal loops at nodes of Ranvier and of calcium to compact myelin

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Journal of Neurocytology

Summary

High-voltage electron microscopy (HVEM) has been used to determine the distribution of cationic precipitates in myelinated axons resulting from the application of two cytochemical techniques: a direct osmium pyroantimonate treatment for precipitating Na+, Ca2+ and Mg2+; and a 5 mM Ca2+ inclusion procedure (Oschman & Wall) for imparting electron density to Ca2+ binding sites. Electron probe wavelength spectroscopy was then used on semi-thick tissue sections to identify the species of ions present in the following regions: Schwann cell paranodal loops, axoplasm at the node, compact myelin and extracellular matrix. With these combined procedures we were able to localize elevated concentrations of both Na+ and Ca2+ to cytoplasmic compartments of the Schwann cell paranodal loops, as well as to detect the presence of Ca2+ at elevated levels in compact myelin. The involvement of the Schwann cell paranodal loops in providing a source and/or sink for Na+ involved in impulse conduction is suggested by these results, and the significance of such a role is discussed. A role for Ca2+ in the formation and stabilization of myelin lamellae is also suggested.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego

    Mark H. Ellisman & Peter L. Friedman

  2. School of Medicine, 92093, La Jolla, California, USA

    Mark H. Ellisman & Peter L. Friedman

  3. Applied Research Laboratories, Hasler Applications Laboratory, 94545 Wentworth Street, 91040, Sunland, California, USA

    W. J. Hamilton

Authors
  1. Mark H. Ellisman
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  2. Peter L. Friedman
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  3. W. J. Hamilton
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Ellisman, M.H., Friedman, P.L. & Hamilton, W.J. The localization of sodium and calcium to Schwann cell paranodal loops at nodes of Ranvier and of calcium to compact myelin. J Neurocytol 9, 185–205 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01205157

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01205157

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