Protein Zero, Myelin (MPZ)

Myelin protein-zero is the major structural protein of peripheral myelin.Hayasaka et al. (1993) stated that the MPZ gene contains 6 exons.You et al. (1991) found that the Mpz gene in the mouse, like that in the rat, contains 6 exons that span about 7 kb of genomic DNA.Myelin protein-zero is the major structural protein of peripheral myelin, accounting for more than 50% of the protein present in the sheath of peripheral nerves. Expression of the MPZ gene is restricted to Schwann cells; MPZ is not found in the CNS. An integral membrane glycoprotein of 28 kD, MPZ is thought to link adjacent lamellae and thereby stabilize the myelin assembly. The other 3 major components of myelin are myelin basic protein (MBP), myelin proteolipid protein (PLP1), and myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG).