L-isoform but not S-isoform of myelin associated glycoprotein promotes neurite outgrowth of mouse cerebellar neurons.

Myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG) has growth promoting effect on mouse cerebellar neurons. In the present study, we examined which isoform of MAG has the effect. cDNA for L-MAG and S-MAG was stably transfected into BALB/c 3T3 cells, on which cerebellar neurons were cultured. The neurons were stained with antibody against microtubule-associated protein-2. Neurites of the neurons cultured on cells expressing L-MAG extended significantly further than those cultured on cells expressing S-MAG or on control cells. Therefore, intracellular domain of MAG may have the potential to affect MAG-neurite interaction.