title: Metabolism and functions of lipids in myelin.
abstract: Rapid conduction of nerve impulses requires coating of axons by myelin sheaths, which are lipid-rich and multilamellar membrane stacks. The lipid composition of myelin varies significantly from other biological membranes. Studies in mutant mice targeting various lipid biosynthesis pathways have shown that myelinating glia have a remarkable capacity to compensate the lack of individual lipids. However, compensation fails when it comes to maintaining long-term stability of myelin. Here, we summarize how lipids function in myelin biogenesis, axon-glia communication and in supporting long-term maintenance of myelin. We postulate that change in myelin lipid composition might be relevant for our understanding of aging and demyelinating diseases. This article is part of a Special Issue titled Brain Lipids.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institute for Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Str. 3, Göttingen, Germany; Department of Neurology, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schmitt
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institute for Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Str. 3, Göttingen, Germany; Department of Neurology, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Ludovici Cantuti
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Castelvetri
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institute for Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Str. 3, Göttingen, Germany; Department of Neurology, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany. Electronic address: msimons@gwdg.de.
authors.forename: Mikael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Simons
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005699:Galactosylceramides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005732:Gangliosides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010716:Phosphatidylinositols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D010955:Plasmalogens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013433:Sulfoglycosphingolipids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005699:Galactosylceramides; D005732:Gangliosides; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D010716:Phosphatidylinositols; D010955:Plasmalogens; D013433:Sulfoglycosphingolipids; D002784:Cholesterol
keywords: Axons; Glia; Lipids; Myelin; Oligodendrocytes