Hypotheses regarding myelination derived from comparisons of myelin subfractions

Myelin: Methods for Purification and Proteome Analysis

Molecular characterization of myelin is a prerequisite for understanding the normal structure of the axon/myelin-unit in the healthy nervous system and abnormalities in myelin-related disorders. However, reliable molecular profiles necessitate very pure myelin membranes, in particular when considering the power of highly sensitive "omics"-data acquisition methods. Here, we recapitulate the history and recent applications of myelin purification. We then provide our laboratory protocols for the biochemical isolation of a highly pure myelin-enriched fraction from mouse brains and for its proteomic analysis. We also supply methodological modifications when investigating posttranslational modifications, RNA, or myelin from peripheral nerves. Notably, technical advancements in solubilizing myelin are beneficial for gel-based and gel-free myelin proteome analyses. We conclude this article by exemplifying the exceptional power of label-free proteomics in the mass-spectrometric quantification of myelin proteins.

Isolation of myelin

The methods used to prepare myelin involve homogenization of the tissue in isotonic sucrose solution, followed by the isolation of myelin membranes by a series of steps that include density gradient centrifugation and differential centrifugation. Homogenization of nervous tissue in isotonic sucrose causes the myelin sheath to peel from the axon and form relatively large myelin vesicles. The large size of the myelin vesicles, together with the fact that myelin membrane has a lower density than other biological membranes, make differential centrifugation and density gradient centrifugation the main tools for the isolation of this membrane. Three protocols are outlined in this unit: isolation of a highly-purified myelin fraction from the central nervous system (CNS); separation of a highly-purified CNS myelin fraction into subfractions of different densities; and isolation of myelin from the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

Lipid profile of rat myelin subfractions

Myelin from adult rat brains was separated on a discontinuous sucrose gradient into three subfractions. Analysis of "light", "heavy" and "membrane fraction" lipid classes was performed by HPTLC and densitometry while fatty acid composition was determinated by GLC. The more interesting results observed are: i) the "membrane fraction" resembles in its lipid and fatty acid composition other cell membranes (particularly oligodentrocytes); ii) "light" and "heavy" myelin are quite similar between them but the former has a higher content of sphingomyelin, a lower hydroxy/nonhydroxy cerebrosides ratio and a lower content of monoenoic fatty acids than the "heavy" subfraction. The results obtained could explain the different structures observed in each myelin subfraction since fatty acid composition, hydroxy fatty acids, sphingomyelin and cholesterol play a key role in the stability and structure of membranes.

Metabolic studies on dysmyelinating mutant "pt" rabbit brain in vitro

"Paralytic tremor" (pt) rabbit mutant is characterized by a severe hypomyelination of the CNS, however, it is not defined if the defect in myelinogenesis is an "assembly" or "synthesis" type. In this study, we have compared the general metabolic and biosynthetic properties of the myelinating mutant brain with unaffected controls of the same age. In the brain slices of 4 wk old "pt" rabbits the incorporation of U-[14C]glucose, 6-[3H] galactose, and U-[14C] leucine into macromolecules (total lipids and proteins, galactolipids, and myelin basic protein) was substantially elevated. In isolated myelin fraction, the total reduction of the radioactivity was followed by the increased specific activity of all examined macromolecules. The myelin to homogenate specific activity ratio was similar in control and "pt" rabbits. Distribution of the label and myelin marker, cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNP-ase) among the membranous fractions suggests the partial inhibition of myelin formation in "pt" rabbits on the step of premyelin, unilamellar membranes. 14CO2 yields derived from differently labeled glucose were used for the evaluation of the basal oxidative metabolism in "pt" brain slices. 14CO2 production from U-[14C] glucose was normal. The depolarization of the slices by 50 mM K+ stimulated glucose oxidation to a higher extent in "pt" than in control. Hexose monophosphate pathway (HMP), the route providing much of NADPH required for lipid biosynthesis, did not change significantly by mutation. The activity of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (Glc-6-P DH), an oligodendroglia enriched, HMP connected enzyme, was slightly lower in "pt" homogenates by 13-17%, whereas CNP-ase was lowered more than 30% in the same samples. All this data suggest that the capacity for the synthesis of myelin constituents is well preserved in the mutant brain and the impairment of myelogenesis is probably caused by increased elimination of already synthesized, myelin-related components.

Evolutionary divergence in the structure of myelin basic protein: comparison of chondrichthye basic proteins with those from higher vertebrates

A basic protein has been purified from the CNS myelin of the gummy shark (Mustelus antarticus). Electroblotting was used to examine the capacity of rabbit antisera raised against this electrophoretically pure protein to recognize myelin basic protein from higher vertebrates. The antisera bound to two shark proteins including the original polypeptide antigen and to chicken, bovine, and human myelin basic proteins. Thus, the shark protein appeared to possess antigenic determinants that have been retained through evolutionary divergence of these proteins. Whereas bovine basic protein caused experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in guinea pigs, animals that received injections of the shark protein showed neither clinical nor histological signs of this disease. However, tests for delayed-type hypersensitivity and for Arthus reaction following injection with the shark protein revealed a T-cell-mediated response to this antigen and substantial cross-reactivity with higher vertebrate basic proteins. Analysis of the amino acid composition of the shark protein, and comparison of its tryptic peptide map with that of the bovine protein, revealed substantial changes in the amino acid sequence. Although the shark protein has some antigenic determinants in common with the proteins from higher vertebrates, it appears that much of the structure differs.

Stimulation of 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase in human lymphocytes by Robinia pseudoacacia lectin

2',3'-Cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNP) activity was studied in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Incubation of human lymphocytes with optimum mitogenic concentrations of Robinia pseudoacacia lectin produced an increase in CNP activity. This increase was not detected before 24 h of incubation. Furthermore, whereas unfractionated lymphocytes exhibited activation of CNP, this was not observed in B and T cell subpopulations.

Ultracytochemical localization of ouabain-sensitive K+-dependent, p-nitrophenyl phosphatase in myelin

Ouabain-sensitive, K+-dependent p-nitrophenyl phosphatase (K-NPPase) activity was demonstrated ultracytochemically in the myelin of nerve fibers in peripheral and central white matter. Enzyme activity was more prominent in paranodal than compact myelin, and it was absent from nodal and interparanodal axolemma. Since K-NPPase is part of the Na-KATPase complex, we consider myelin as an important site of the sodium pump and believe that myelin participates in cationic regulation of the nervous tissue.

Myelination process in the rat sciatic nerve during regeneration and development: molecular species composition and acyl group biosynthesis of choline-, ethanolamine-, and serine-glycerophospholipids of myelin fractions

The content of alkenyl-acyl, alkyl-acyl and diacyl types of the three major myelin glycerophospholipids such as PtdCho, PtdEtn and PtdSer was determined in myelin fractions prepared from sciatic nerve segments of rats at 12, 25 and 45 days after birth, and of adult rats (6-month-old) 90 days after crush injury. The biosynthesis and metabolic heterogeneity of lipid classes and types were also studied by incubation with [1-14C] acetate of nerve segments of young rats at different ages as well as crushed and sham-operated control nerve segments of adult rats. The analysis of composition and positional distribution in major individual molecular species extracted from light myelin and myelin-related fraction suggest that the metabolism of alkenyl-acyl-glycerophosphorylethanolamines and unsaturated species of PtdCho and PtdSer may not be regulated in the same manner during peripheral nerve myelination of developing rat and remyelination of regenerating nerve in the adult animal. The 14C-radioactivity incorporation into lipid classes and alkyl and acyl moieties of the three major phospholipids of sciatic nerve segments during the developmental period investigated revealed that Schwann cells were capable of synthesizing acyl-linked fatty acids in both myelin fractions at a decreasing rate and with different patterns during development. In regenerating sciatic nerve of adult animals the labeling of myelin lipid classes and types of remyelinating nerve segment distal to the crush site was markedly higher than that of sham-operated normal one; however, the magnitude and the pattern of the specific radioactivity never approached those observed during active myelination of the nerve in young animals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

PO protein and 2',3'-cyclic-nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase activity in the peripheral nerve and subcellular fractions of the Trembler mouse

To investigate the biochemical abnormalities of the Trembler mouse, the level of the PO protein (as % of total protein) and the activity of CNP was compared in the sciatic nerve and subcellular fractions of normal and mutant littermates. There was a significant decrease in both of these myelin markers in total nerve homgenates of the neurological mutant compared with the control animals. Immunoassay of the PO protein and polyacrylamide gel analysis of proteins indicated an accumulation of a protein with an apparent molecular weight of 67K in mutant nerve extracts. The mutant nerve also had relatively decreased levels of a protein of molecular weight about 41K that cross-reacted with antibody to PO protein. The Trembler mouse exhibited a larger percentage recovery of PO protein and CNP activity in subcellular fractions denser than the myelin sheath. Together these results are consistent with the theories that these denser components represent immature forms of myelin and that the Trembler mutant is characterized by hypomyelination.

Mutual stimulation by phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate and myelin basic protein of their phosphorylation by the kinases solubilized from rat brain myelin

Myelin basic protein and phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate are phosphorylated in vitro by ATP and solubilized rat brain myelin. When both substrates are present together, the rate of phosphorylation of each is increased about eight-fold. It appears likely that the phosphate turnover of myelin basic protein and of phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate are coupled in vivo.

The ontogenetic mouse brain model employed in the characterization of antibrain antibodies in multiple sclerosis

The complement-fixing antibrain antibodies which may be found in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) belong to several specificities, of which only two are as yet identified. In order to study three of the incompletely characterized specificities, the ontogenetic evolution of the corresponding antigens in mouse brain was followed. MS serum containing antibodies to sulfatide, a relatively myelin-specific glycolipid, served as a control. The studied antigens were virtually absent at birth and accumulated at different rates during the postnatal period. The results give valuable clues for the further study of the antibrain antibodies in MS.

Comparative localization of Wolfgram W1 and myelin basic proteins in the rat brain during ontogenesis

Antisera raised in rabbits against myelin basic proteins (MBP) and Wolfgram W1 protein isolated from rat myelin were used to study the maturation of oligodendrocytes in the developing rat nervous system. Both proteins were localized immunohistochemically at the light and electron microscopical levels in rat brain from the time of their first appearance to the adult stage. Oligodendrocytes were first detected by their positive staining with W1 antiserum two days after birth and at 1-3 days later with MBP antiserum. At 8-10 days, the number of oligodendrocytes labelled with both sera increases and the myelinated fibre pathways were clearly visible. Labelling with W1 antiserum was observed in oligodendrocytes at all stages from 2 days after birth to adulthood and in myelin fibers when they were present. In contrast, staining of oligodendroglial cells with MBP declined during the period of rapid myelination (20-25 days after birth) and finally disappeared, whereas myelin staining was still apparent. The electron microscopical study revealed that the synthesis of Wolfgram proteins occurred mostly at the peripheral cytoplasmic ribosomes of the cells, from where they were probably transported to processes engaged in myelination. The electron micrographs also showed that the sites of MBP synthesis seemed to be more uniformly distributed over the entire cytoplasm.

The activity of 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase in rat tissues

The activity of the myelin-associated enzyme 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNP) was measured in 14 rat tissues and in subcellular fractions of rat liver by a sensitive fluorometric method, using cyclic NADP as substrate. CNP activity in brain (339 mumol/h/mg protein) was fourfold that of the sciatic nerve. The activities in tissues outside the nervous system ranged from a low of 0.42 mumol/h/mg protein in the unwashed red blood cell to a high of 9.96 in the spleen. The activity was highest in tissues containing cells with membranes capable of undergoing transformation and elaboration (spleen and thymus) and low in those in which the cell membranes are morphologically stable (muscle and red cell). The enzyme was found in all major liver subfractions, with the highest activities in the microsomal and nuclear fractions. Despite the large difference in the maximal velocities of CNP in brain and liver, the affinity of the liver enzyme for the substrate (km) was similar to that of brain enzyme. Brain CNP was stable over a 48-h postmortem period.

Myelin proteins, glycoproteins, and myelin-related enzymes in experimental demyelination of the rabbit optic nerve: sequence of events

Wallerian degeneration of the rabbit optic nerve was investigated by the technique of retinal ablation which precludes edema, hemorrhage, or macrophage infiltration. After 8 days of degeneration, marked degradation of axons and some myelin abnormalities appeared in the optic nerve, optic chiasma, and optic tract. Myelin lesions were maximal 32 days after retinal destruction. The amount of material stained with a myelin dye decreased drastically between 32 and 90 days after the operation. Biochemical parameters gave the following sequence of events. The concentration of the major periodic acid--Schiff staining glycoproteins was decreased after 2 days, and 6 days later the presence of cholesterol esters was detected in the optic tissue. After 16 days of Wallerian degeneration, the specific activity of 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase not associated with myelin decreased, indicating a possible de-differentiation of oligodendrocytes. Degradation of myelin basic protein became significant at 32 days and the amount of myelin isolated decreased later. The loss of myelin basic protein coincided with a reduction of myelin periodicity as measured in purified fractions by electron microscopy. These results show that secondary myelin destruction in the absence of edema, hemorrhage, or macrophages is a very slow process, and in this situation myelin undergoes a selective and sequential loss of its constituents.

Alcohol inhibits morphological and biochemical differentiation of C6 glial cells in culture

Cultures of glial cell lines (C6) were exposed to 10-micromilligram Dexamethasone which is known to cause morphological differentiation and induction of 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase (CNP) in these cells. Ethanol in a concentration of 1.5% abolished these responses, and at 1% diminished them.

Is Na + ATPase a myelin-associated enzyme?

The Na + K ATPase activity associated with purified myelin has been investigated. On the basis of marker enzyme studies, the Na + K ATPase activity of myelin was higher than could be accounted for by microsomal contamination. Fractions prepared from white matter-enriched areas of rat brain showed a threefold enrichment in Na + K ATPase activity in myelin as compared with the white matter homogenate. The ATPase activity in myelin was stimulated fourfold by treatment with sodium deoxycholate, but the activity in the whole brain homogenate and the microsomal fraction was only doubled. This discontinuity temperature for Na + K ATPase activity was significantly higher for the myelin fraction (29 degrees C) than for the microsomal fraction (21 degrees C), but the energies of activation, both above and below the discontinuity temperature, were the same for both fractions, Myelin Na + K ATPase had a lower affinity for strophanthidin than the microsomal enzyme, but both fractions were inhibited to the same extent by 10-3 M-strophanthidin. The evidence thus indicated that much of the ATPase activity of myelin is not the result of microsomal contamination. Although the possibility of axolemmal contamination cannot be ruled out conclusively, indirect evidence suggest that this is not a significant factor and that Na + K ATPase may be a myelin-associated enzyme.

Rapid incorporation in vivo of intracerebrally injected 32Pi into polyphosphoinositides of three subfractions of rat brain myelin

At intervals ranging from 1 to 10 min after injection of 32Pi into rat brain, myelin was prepared and separated into three subfractions: heavy, medium, and light. The radioactivity of total phospholipids and polyphosphoinositides (PPI) was then determined. There was rapid incorporation of 32Pi into PPI, which contained 50-70% of the radioactivity among total brain lipids and more than 70% among myelin lipids. The myelin fraction had incorporated 32Pi into total recovered PPI in the order of medium greater than heavy greater than light fraction; however, the order of relative specific radioactivities was heavy greater than light greater than medium. Labeling of the PPI precursors, phosphatidic acid (PA) and phosphatidylinositol (PI), was considerably lower in the purified myelin than in total brain. The di- (DPI) and triphosphoinositides (TPI) in heavy myelin exchanged 32Pi rates 2 to 3 times faster than those in medium and light myelin. DPI of all subfractions of myelin exchanged much faster than TPI. The results show that the most active phosphate turnover of myelin PPI occurs in the heavy myelin fraction (probably largely consisting of myelin appurtenant regions). However, medium and light myelin (most probably representing the closely packed layers of myelin sheaths) also showed rapid turnover of PPI.

Evidence for the association of 2',3'-cyclic-nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase with myelin-related membranes in peripheral nervous system

In PNS, the specific activity of 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNP) in myelin was not enriched over the starting homogenate. Nevertheless, most of the total activity was recovered in myelin. In myelin-deficient mutants, low CNP activities were measured in sciatic nerves. CNP specific activities were similar in myelinated and non-myelinated nerves but in non-nervous tissues, they were significantly lower than in nervous tissue. There was no indication for the presence of an isoenzyme of CNP in peripheral nerves. These results indicate that CNP is present in PNS myelin and preferentially localized in Schwann cell plasma membranes.

Distribution of phosphoinositides among subfractions of rat brain myelin

Rat brain myelin was separated into three subfractions, heavy, medium, and light, and the concentrations of phosphatidic acids (PA), phosphatidylinositol (PI), di- (DPI), and triphosphoinositide (TPI) in these fractions were determined. PI was evenly distributed among the fractions, and PA, DPI, and TPI occurred in highest concentrations in the "light" myelin. This result indicates that these fast metabolizing lipids play an important role in the tightly packed central lamellae of the myelin sheath.