TY - JOUR
T1 - Distinct profiles of myelin distribution along single axons of pyramidal neurons in the neocortex
AU - Tomassy, Giulio Srubek
AU - Berger, Daniel R.
AU - Chen, Hsu Hsin
AU - Kasthuri, Narayanan
AU - Hayworth, Kenneth J.
AU - Vercelli, Alessandro
AU - Seung, Hyunjune Sebastian
AU - Lichtman, Jeff W.
AU - Arlotta, Paola
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - Myelin is a defining feature of the vertebrate nervous system. Variability in the thickness of the myelin envelope is a structural feature affecting the conduction of neuronal signals. Conversely, the distribution of myelinated tracts along the length of axons has been assumed to be uniform. Here, we traced high-throughput electron microscopy reconstructions of single axons of pyramidal neurons in the mouse neocortex and built high-resolution maps of myelination. We find that individual neurons have distinct longitudinal distribution of myelin. Neurons in the superficial layers displayed the most diversified profiles, including a new pattern where myelinated segments are interspersed with long, unmyelinated tracts. Our data indicate that the profile of longitudinal distribution of myelin is an integral feature of neuronal identity and may have evolved as a strategy to modulate long-distance communication in the neocortex.
AB - Myelin is a defining feature of the vertebrate nervous system. Variability in the thickness of the myelin envelope is a structural feature affecting the conduction of neuronal signals. Conversely, the distribution of myelinated tracts along the length of axons has been assumed to be uniform. Here, we traced high-throughput electron microscopy reconstructions of single axons of pyramidal neurons in the mouse neocortex and built high-resolution maps of myelination. We find that individual neurons have distinct longitudinal distribution of myelin. Neurons in the superficial layers displayed the most diversified profiles, including a new pattern where myelinated segments are interspersed with long, unmyelinated tracts. Our data indicate that the profile of longitudinal distribution of myelin is an integral feature of neuronal identity and may have evolved as a strategy to modulate long-distance communication in the neocortex.
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U2 - 10.1126/science.1249766
DO - 10.1126/science.1249766
M3 - Review article
C2 - 24744380
AN - SCOPUS:84899492875
SN - 0036-8075
VL - 344
SP - 319
EP - 324
JO - Science
JF - Science
IS - 6181
ER -