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Histochemistry of myelin. X. Proteolysis of normal myelin and release of lipid by extracts of degenerating nerve

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Synopsis

  1. (1)

    Anin vitro system is described for studying the effects of homogenized peripheral nerve supernatant on normal central and peripheral myelin.

  2. (2)

    Reduced trypanophilia of normal myelin is attributed to loss of basic trypsin-digestible protein caused by the high activity of proteolytic enzymes in degenerating nerve.

  3. (3)

    Physical changes in myelin lipids, characterized by greatly accelerated myelin-bud formation, occurred in sections treated with degenerating nerve supernatants.

  4. (4)

    These results suggest that the initial stage of myelin breakdown-i.e. before the lipids are chemically degraded-depends on the digestion of basic trypsin-digestible protein in the myelin. Hence, the lipids become dissociated from the protein skeleton of the sheath.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, Guy's Hospital Medical School (University of London), SE1, London

    J. F. Hallpike, C. W. M. Adams & O. B. Bayliss

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  1. J. F. Hallpike
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  2. C. W. M. Adams
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  3. O. B. Bayliss
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Research Associate supported by the British Multiple Sclerosis Society.

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Hallpike, J.F., Adams, C.W.M. & Bayliss, O.B. Histochemistry of myelin. X. Proteolysis of normal myelin and release of lipid by extracts of degenerating nerve. Histochem J 2, 315–321 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01004999

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