Recombinant Human Myelin PLP protein (His tag)

Supplementary information

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

Myelin proteolipid protein or PLP is an integral membrane protein with important roles in the central nervous system. It has an alternate name lipophilin and its molecular weight is approximately 25 kDa. PLP is most abundant in myelin the protective sheath covering nerve fibers and is expressed in oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells. It represents one of the major protein components of central nervous system myelin and facilitates the compact structure of myelin via its structural properties.

Biological function summary

The myelin proteolipid protein contributes to the stability and functionality of the myelin sheath impacting nervous impulse conduction. It plays a structural role in the formation and maintenance of myelin which is essential for rapid signal transmission in the nervous system. PLP can form a complex with DM20 a related isoform which aids in the regulatory processes of myelination. The protein is critical for the compaction and shear resistance of the myelin sheath ensuring efficient neuronal communication.

Pathways

The myelin proteolipid protein is involved in myelination and cell adhesion processes that are part of central nervous system development. It participates in the myelin assembly pathway and interacts with other key proteins like 2'3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNPase) to modulate myelin biogenesis and homeostasis. This interaction is important for the formation and repair of myelin ensuring that signal transduction remains unobstructed in the nervous system.

Mutations or misregulations of the myelin proteolipid protein are linked to conditions such as Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD) and multiple sclerosis (MS). In PMD altered PLP expression leads to abnormal myelin formation resulting in severe neurological dysfunction. In cases of MS the autoimmune response may involve components of the myelin such as PLP initiating demyelination and impairing nerve conductivity. Other proteins connected to these disorders include myelin basic protein (MBP) which alongside PLP forms the bulk of myelin structure and both are targets in autoimmune attack scenarios.