Division of Molecular Neurobiology (Professor Masaharu Noda) of the National Institute for Basic Biology has revealed that the protein tyrosine phosphatase zeta, Ptprz, is involved in regulation of the formation and regeneration of the myelin sheath that surrounds axons of neurons, in conjunction with the research department of Asubio Pharma Co., Ltd. The group found that Ptprz-deficient mice show early initiation of myelin sheath formation during brain development, and resistance to experimental demyelination, because of activation of myelin sheath reformation, in adults. Molecular and cellular level analyses revealed the mechanism by which Ptprz negatively regulates the intracellular signaling involved in the formation of the myelin sheath. These results clarify a part of the regulatory mechanism of myelin sheath formation, and will be very useful knowledge in the development of new types of therapeutic agents to promote regeneration of the myelin sheath in currently incurable demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis. The results of this research were published in PLOS ONE on November 7.

Publication:

Journal: PLOS ONE　

Publication Date: November 07, 2012 at 5:00 pm EST  (November 8, 4:00 am Japan time)

Title of the paper：Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Receptor Type Z Negatively Regulates Oligodendrocyte Differentiation and Myelination

Authors：Kazuya Kuboyama, Akihiro Fujikawa, Makoto Masumura, Ryoko Suzuki, Masahito Matsumoto, Masaharu Noda

Research Group:

This study was conducted as a joint research project between the National Institute for Basic Biology’s Division of Molecular Neurobiology and the research department of Asubio Pharma Co., Ltd.

For further information, please contact:

National Institute for Basic Biology

Division of Molecular Neurobiology

Professor Masaharu Noda

TEL: +81 564 59 5846

E-mail: madon@nibb.ac.jp

URL: http://niwww3.nibb.ac.jp/

For press inquiries, please contact:

National Institute for Basic Biology

Office of Public Relations

TEL: +81 564 55 7628　FAX: +81 564 55 7597

E-mail: press@nibb.ac.jp