Membrane proteins in the neuron are often segregated either to the soma and dendrites or to the axon. But how? It turns out that, in a region between the soma and axon called the initial segment, membrane proteins are tethered to the underlying cytoskeleton by anchoring proteins. Not only does this prevent the membrane proteins from diffusing, but it also blocks the passage of other, untethered proteins.
- Peter J. Hollenbeck
- Gordon Ruthel