title: A size barrier limits protein diffusion at the cell surface to generate lipid-rich myelin-membrane sheets.
abstract: The insulating layers of myelin membrane wrapped around axons by oligodendrocytes are essential for the rapid conduction of nerve impulses in the central nervous system. To fulfill this function as an electrical insulator, myelin requires a unique lipid and protein composition. Here we show that oligodendrocytes employ a barrier that functions as a physical filter to generate the lipid-rich myelin-membrane sheets. Myelin basic protein (MBP) forms this molecular sieve and restricts the diffusion of proteins with large cytoplasmic domains into myelin. The barrier is generated from MBP molecules that line the entire sheet and is, thus, intimately intertwined with the biogenesis of the polarized cell surface. This system might have evolved in oligodendrocytes in order to generate an anisotropic membrane organization that facilitates the assembly of highly insulating lipid-rich membranes.
authors: Max-Planck-Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.
authors: Shweta
authors: S
authors: Aggarwal
authors: Larisa
authors: L
authors: Yurlova
authors: Nicolas
authors: N
authors: Snaidero
authors: Christina
authors: C
authors: Reetz
authors: Steffen
authors: S
authors: Frey
authors: Johannes
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authors: Zimmermann
authors: Gesa
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authors: Pähler
authors: Andreas
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authors: Janshoff
authors: Jens
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authors: Friedrichs
authors: Daniel J
authors: DJ
authors: Müller
authors: Cornelia
authors: C
authors: Goebel
authors: Mikael
authors: M
authors: Simons