Synopsis
the early stages of Wallerian degeneration in peripheral nerves are accompanied by loss of a trypanophilic, trypsin-digestible basic protein from myelin. This loss of basic protein is ascribed to the activity of proteolytic enzymes. The reduced trypanophilia in degenerating nerves could not be attributed to loss of lipid. Likewise, the tryptophan-rich trypsin-resistant neurokeratin component of peripheral nerve myelin showed no change in the first week of degeneration. Loss of basic protein has been observed in and surrounding plaques of multiple sclerosis. We infer that digestion of basic protein would lead to the release of the encephalitogenic antigen contained therein.
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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. XI. Loss of basic protein in early myelin breakdown and multiple sclerosis plaques. Histochem J 2, 323–328 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01005000
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01005000