Developmental and pathophysiological aspects of the myelin-associated glycoprotein.
1. A glycoslylated sulfate-containing protein known as myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) appears to be unique to the central and peripheral nervous systems. This component has been characterized and cDNA clones have been isolated. 2. MAG is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. The principal form of MAG synthesized in brain during active myelination has an apparent molecular weight of 100,000. Alternate exon splicing leads to an additional 5000-dalton smaller form with a different C terminus. 3. In patients with multiple sclerosis, MAG is rapidly lost in areas of active disease. It is immunologically reactive in patients with benign monoclonal gammopathy associated with peripheral neuropathy. 4. The role of MAG in the formation of the myelin sheath and its participation in autoimmune neurological disorders are outlined.
Brady
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Developmental and Metabolic Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Quarles
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D006801:Humans; D008998:Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance / Q000378:metabolism; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D009185:Myelin Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000502:physiology*; D018992:Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000378:metabolism
D009185:Myelin Proteins; D018992:Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein