The terminal differentiation of postmitotic oligodendrocytes is marked by the induction of myelin-specific genes. In this report, we demonstrate that culture conditions that induce oligodendrocyte differentiation of glial progenitor cells also induce differentiation of C6 glioblastoma cells, as monitored by activated transcription of the gene encoding proteolipid protein (PLP), the major myelin...

to understand the mechanism of multiple sclerosis (ms), an autoimmune demyelinating disease, the researchers developed an experimental animal model for ms, which is called eae (experimental allergic encephalomyelitis). there are several methods for inducing this animal model. in this research the active eae, which is developed by injecting bovine myelin antigens into genetically susceptible ani...

Mice lacking the expression of proteolipid protein (PLP)/DM20 in oligodendrocytes provide a genuine model for spastic paraplegia (SPG-2). Their axons are well myelinated but exhibit impaired axonal transport and progressive degeneration, which is difficult to attribute to the absence of a single myelin protein. We hypothesized that secondary molecular changes in PLP(null) myelin contribute to t...

The proteolipid protein (PLP) gene encodes two myelin-specific protein isoforms, DM-20 and PLP, which are members of the highly conserved lipophilin family of transmembrane proteins. While the functions of this family are poorly understood, the fact that null mutations of the PLP gene cause leukodystrophy in man is testament to the importance of DM-20 and PLP in normal CNS function. PLP differs...

The immunohistochemical localization of two myelin specific proteins-basic protein (BP) and proteolipid protein (PLP)-was compared during the process of myelination. Although both proteins were present in oligodendrocytes, (i) neither protein was observed in oligodendrocytes not already closely associated with nerve fibers exhibiting a fluorescent coating; (ii) in any discrete anatomical area o...

Proteolipid protein (PLP), the major protein of central nervous system myelin, contains approximately 2 mol of covalently bound fatty acids. In this study, the in vivo turnover rate of the acyl chains bound to PLP was determined in 40-day-old rats after a single intracranial injection of [3H]palmitic acid. The apparent half-life of total fatty acids bound to PLP was approximately 7 days. After ...

To understand the mechanism of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune demyelinating disease, the researchers developed an experimental animal model for MS, which is called EAE (Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis). There are several methods for inducing this animal model. In this research the active EAE, which is developed by injecting bovine myelin antigens into genetically susceptibl...

After incomplete traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), the spared tissue exhibits abnormal myelination that is associated with reduced or blocked axonal conductance. To examine the molecular basis of the abnormal myelination, we used a standardized rat model of incomplete SCI and compared normal uninjured tissue with that after contusion injury. We evaluated expression of mRNA for myelin proteins...

Transgenic mice were generated with a fusion gene carrying a portion of the murine myelin proteolipid protein (PLP) gene, including the first intron, fused to the E. coli LacZ gene. Three transgenic lines were derived and all lines expressed the transgene in central nervous system white matter as measured by a histochemical assay for the detection of beta-galactosidase activity. PLP-LacZ transg...

It is well known that chronic ethanol treatment affects the synthesis of RNA and protein in the brain and the maintenance and function of nervous system. The changes in myelination-related genes are most prominent in human alcoholics. Previously, our cDNA microarray study showed altered Proteolipid protein (PLP), a major protein of central myelin. The present study aimed to gain more understand...