Open AccessRestoration of myelin formation by a single type of myelin basic protein in transgenic shiverer mice.
Author(s) -
Minoru Kimura,
Masahiro Sato,
Akira Akatsuka,
Shiari Nozawa-Kimura,
Riichi Takahashi,
Minesuke Yokoyama,
Tatsuji Nomura,
Motoya Katsuki
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.86.14.5661
Subject(s) - biology , myelin , myelin basic protein , minigene , transgene , genetically modified mouse , microbiology and biotechnology , complementary dna , gene , neuroscience , biochemistry , central nervous system , messenger rna , alternative splicing
A minigene containing mouse cDNA coding for the smallest type of myelin basic protein and including the native promoter was constructed and used to produce transgenic shiverer mice. The hypomyelinating mouse, the shiverer, has a deletion in its myelin basic protein gene, lacks all four types of myelin basic protein in its myelin, and shows abnormal behavior such as violent tremors. Five of twenty-one transgenic shiverer mice showed recovered protein synthesis, compact myelin formation, and normal behavior. These results suggest that a single type of myelin basic protein restores myelin formation and returns the shivering phenotype to normal in the transgenic shiverer mouse.