The Interaction Between Peripheral Nerve Polyanions and Alcian Blue

Abstract —A study of the staining characteristics of Alcian blue in mammalian peripheral myelinated nerve in the presence of added electrolyte has enabled a comparison to be made of polyanions, formerly shown to be present at nodes of Ranvier, with other chemically defined macromolecules present in the same tissue. Two types of polyanion were shown to exist at nodes, one probably carboxylated and the other containing in addition sulphate ester groups. The possible physiological functions of such materials are discussed in relation to the role played by the nodes of Ranvier in conduction of the nerve impulse.