Induction of myelination in the central nervous system by electrical activity.

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.93.18.9887
• Publication Date: 2002-07-26T14:43:20Z
• Authors: C Demerens; B Stankoff; M Logak; P Anglade; B Allinquant; F Couraud; B Zalc; C Lubetzki
• Keywords: Central Nervous System; 0301 basic medicine; Time Factors; [SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio]; Action Potentials; Scorpion Venoms; Optic Nerve; Tetrodotoxin; Electric Stimulation; Sodium Channels; 3. Good health; [SDV] Life Sciences [q-bio]; Mice; Microscopy, Electron; 03 medical and health sciences; Potassium; Animals; [SDV.NEU]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Neurons and Cognition [q-bio.NC]; [SDV.NEU] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Neurons and Cognition [q-bio.NC]; Cells, Cultured; Myelin Sheath

The oligodendrocyte is the myelin-forming cell in the central nervous system. Despite the close interaction between axons and oligodendrocytes, there is little evidence that neurons influence myelinogenesis. On the contrary, newly differentiated oligodendrocytes, which mature in culture in the total absence of neurons, synthesize the myelin-specific constituents of oligodendrocytes differentiated in vivo and even form myelin-like figures. Neuronal electrical activity may be required, however, for the appropriate formation of the myelin sheath. To investigate the role of electrical activity on myelin formation, we have used highly specific neurotoxins, which can either block (tetrodotoxin) or increase (alpha-scorpion toxin) the firing of neurons. We show that myelination can be inhibited by blocking the action potential of neighboring axons or enhanced by increasing their electrical activity, clearly linking neuronal electrical activity to myelinogenesis.