The Nodes of Ranvier: Mechanisms of Assembly and Maintenance

Abstract

Action potential propagation along myelinated axons requires clustered voltage-gated sodium and potassium channels. These channels must be restricted to nodes of Ranvier where the action potential is regenerated. Several mechanisms have evolved to facilitate and ensure the correct assembly and stabilization of these essential axonal domains. This review highlights the current understanding of the axon-intrinsic and glial-extrinsic mechanisms that control the formation and maintenance of the nodes of Ranvier in both the peripheral (PNS) and central (CNS) nervous systems.