Axonal membrane

The **axonal membrane** is the specialized plasma membrane encasing the axon of a neuron. It comprises a lipid bilayer tethered to a unique periodic membrane skeleton, which consists of ring-like *actin* filaments interconnected by *spectrin* tetramers, also anchored via *ankyrin* proteins. This structure acts as a diffusion barrier, controlling the lateral mobility of both transmembrane and monotopic proteins, as well as lipids, and plays a critical role in maintaining neuronal polarity, supporting the generation and propagation of action potentials, and providing mechanical durability to the axon. The periodic arrangement—most prominent in the axon initial segment—confers anisotropic diffusion properties and mechanical stiffness, essential for proper neuronal function. Dysfunction or injury to the axonal membrane skeleton (particularly actin, spectrin, and ankyrin components) can contribute to neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases[1][2][4].

Other names

Axonal plasma membraneAxon membraneAxolemma