Altered expression of ion channel isoforms at the node of Ranvier in P0-deficient myelin mutants

To elucidate the impact of myelinating Schwann cells on the molecular architecture of the node of Ranvier, we investigated the nodal expression of voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) isoforms and the localization of paranodal and juxtaparanodal membrane proteins in a severely affected Schwann cell mutant, the mouse deficient in myelin protein zero (P0). The abnormal myelin formation and compaction was associated with immature nodal cluster types of VGSC. Most strikingly, P0-deficient motor nerves displayed an ectopic nodal expression of the Na(V)1.8 isoform, where it is coexpressed with the ubiquitous Na(V)1.6 channel. Furthermore, Caspr was distributed asymmetrically or was even absent in the mutant nerve fibers. The potassium channel K(V)1.2 and Caspr2 were not confined to juxtaparanodes, but often protruding into the paranodes. Thus, deficiency of PO leads to dysregulation of nodal VGSC isoforms and to altered localization of paranodal and juxtaparanodal components of the nodal complex. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.