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Myelin basic protein (MBP) is a protein believed [weasel words] to be important in the process of myelination of nerves in the nervous system. The myelin sheath is a multi-layered membrane, unique to the nervous system, that functions as an insulator to greatly increase the velocity of axonal impulse conduction . [ 5 ]
Myelin's best known function is to increase the rate at which information, encoded as electrical charges, passes along the axon's length. Myelin achieves this by eliciting saltatory conduction. [1] Saltatory conduction refers to the fact that electrical impulses 'jump' along the axon, over long myelin sheaths, from one node of Ranvier to the next.
Myelin is formed by oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system and Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system.Therefore, the first stage of myelinogenesis is often defined as the differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) or Schwann cell progenitors into their mature counterparts, [4] followed by myelin formation around axons.
White matter is the tissue through which messages pass between different areas of grey matter within the central nervous system. The white matter is white because of the fatty substance (myelin) that surrounds the nerve fibers (axons). This myelin is found in almost all long nerve fibers, and acts as an electrical insulation.
The myelin sheath is a multi-layered membrane, unique to the nervous system, that functions as an insulator to greatly increase the efficiency of axonal impulse conduction. [ 2 ] In humans, point mutations in PLP are the cause of Pelizaeus–Merzbacher disease (PMD), a neurologic disorder of myelin metabolism.
Prion protein and antibodies POM1 and POM3, which recognize epitopes in the terminus (around amino acids (aa) 140–152) and charged clusters of prion protein (aa95-100) were used to their role in myelin maintenance. The result indicated that neuronal expression and regulated proteolysis of prion protein are essential for myelin maintenance.
Peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22), also called Growth arrest-specific protein 3 (GAS-3), is a protein which in humans is encoded by the PMP22 gene.Mutations in PMP22 cause changes in the expression of peripheral myelin protein 22 which can result in several neuropathies.
The insulation must be proportional to the diameter of the fibre inside. The optimal ratio of axon diameter divided by the total fiber diameter (which includes the myelin) is 0.6. [24] Oligodendrocytes in rat cerebellum stained with antibody to myelin basic protein in red and for DNA in blue. Two oligodendrocyte cell bodies are clearly visible ...