molecular disruptions of the panglial syncytium block.pdf

Neuroscience 168 (2010) 982–1008 REVIEW MOLECULAR DISRUPTIONS OF THE PANGLIAL SYNCYTIUM BLOCK POTASSIUM SIPHONING AND AXONAL SALTATORY CONDUCTION: PERTINENCE TO NEUROMYELITIS OPTICA AND OTHER DEMYELINATING DISEASES OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM J. E. RASH* Key words: aquaporin4 (AQP4), connexin, freeze-fracture rep- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Program in Neuronal Growth and lica immunogold labeling (FRIL), gap junction, Kir4.1, NaV1. Development, and Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, Campus De- livery 1617, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA Contents I. Cells of the panglial syncytium; who is coupled to whom? 983 Abstract—The panglial syncytium maintains ionic conditions re- II. Potassium homeostasis in the CNS: maintenance of low quired for normal neuronal electrical activity in the central nervous external potassium ion concentration (low [K]O) required system (CNS). Vital among these homeostatic functions is “potas- for normal neuronal activity 985 sium siphoning,” a process originally proposed to explain astro- III. Potassium siphoning: discovery and initial characterization cytic sequestration and long-distance disposal of K released 985 from unmyelinated axons during each action potential. Funda- Astrocyte K “leak” conductance is concentrated in astrocyte mentally different, more efficient processes are re