Myelin-associated glycoprotein: a role in myelination and in the inhibition of axonal regeneration?
Inhibitory molecules in CNS myelin affect axonal regeneration after injury. In the past year, myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), a well-characterized myelin protein, has been identified as an inhibitor of axonal regeneration. This finding, together with its established ability to promote outgrowth, defines MAG as a bifunctional molecule. MAG has also been included in a family of sialic acid binding proteins, providing a clue to the identity of the MAG receptor. MAG knockout mice reveal that MAG is not essential for the initiation of myelination; however, it plays an important role in maintaining a stable interaction between axons and myelin.
Filbin
M T
MT
Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York 10021, USA. FILBIN@genectr.hunter.cuny.edu
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology*; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000502:physiology*; D018992:Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein / Q000502:physiology*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*
D018992:Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein