Stretch-grown axons retain the ability to transmit active electrical signals

Authors

Bryan J. Pfister, Newark College of Engineering
David P. Bonislawski, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Douglas H. Smith, University of Pennsylvania
Akiva S. Cohen, University of Pennsylvania

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-12-2006

Abstract

Little is known about extensive nervous system growth after axons reach their targets. Indeed, postnatal animals continue to grow, suggesting that axons are stretched to accommodate the expanding body. We have previously shown that axons can sustain stretch-growth rates reaching 1 cm/day; however, it remained unknown whether the ability to transmit active signals was maintained. Here, stretch-growth did not alter sodium channel activation, inactivation, and recovery or potassium channel activation. In addition, neurons generated normal action potentials that propagated across stretch-grown axons. Surprisingly, Na and K channel density increased due to stretch-growth, which may represent a natural response to preserve the fidelity of neuronal signaling. © 2006 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.

Identifier

33646920373 (Scopus)

Publication Title

FEBS Letters

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.febslet.2006.05.030

ISSN

00145793

PubMed ID

16730003

First Page

3525

Last Page

3531

Issue

14

Volume

580

Grant

AG21527

Fund Ref

National Institutes of Health

Recommended Citation

Pfister, Bryan J.; Bonislawski, David P.; Smith, Douglas H.; and Cohen, Akiva S., "Stretch-grown axons retain the ability to transmit active electrical signals" (2006). Faculty Publications. 18928.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/fac_pubs/18928