Myelin basic protein (MBP) is a protein believed to be important in the process of myelination of nerves in the central nervous system (CNS).

MBP was initially sequenced in 1979 after isolation from myelin membranes . Since that time, knockout mice deficient in MBP have been developed which showed decreased amounts of CNS myelination and a progressive disorder characterized by tremors, seizures, and early death. The gene for MBP is on chromosome 18; the protein localizes to the CNS and to various cells of the hematopoietic system.

The pool of MBP in the central nervous system is very diverse, with several splice variants being expressed and a large number of post-translational modifications on the protein, which include phosphorylation, methylation, deamidation and citrullination.

Role in disease

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Interest in MBP has centered on its role in demyelinating diseases, particularly multiple sclerosis (MS). Several studies have shown a role for antibodies against MBP in the pathogenesis of MS . Some studies have linked a genetic predisposition to MS to the MBP gene, though a majority have not.

References

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Basic A1 protein of the myelin membrane: the complete amino acid sequence. J Biol Chem. 1971 Sep 25;246(18):5770-84; Free text - PDF (1.9MB) Antimyelin antibodies as a predictor of clinically definite multiple sclerosis after a first demyelinating event. N Engl J Med. 2003 Jul 10;349(2):139-45; Free text after free registration

Membrane_proteins | Proteins