MBP Protein
Description
Biological Functions
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Myelin Compaction: MBP bridges cytosolic myelin membranes, acting as a molecular sieve to exclude large proteins (e.g., MAG, CNP) and enrich lipids .
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Signaling: Binds Fyn kinase to regulate oligodendrocyte differentiation and Ca²⁺ channel modulation .
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Cytoskeletal Interactions: Stabilizes actin and tubulin networks, influencing myelin membrane dynamics .
Role in Disease
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Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Elevated citrullinated MBP isoforms reduce positive charge, destabilizing myelin and triggering autoimmune responses .
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Animal Models: Shiverer mice (MBP knockout) exhibit tremors, seizures, and early death due to hypomyelination .
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Viral Mimicry: Cross-reactive T cells target MBP in response to herpesvirus-6 peptides, implicating molecular mimicry in MS pathogenesis .
Biotechnological Applications
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Expression Enhancement: Boosts yields of extracellular, intracellular, and transmembrane proteins by 2–5× in mammalian systems .
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Crystallization Aid: Short helical linkers (e.g., DAALAAA) between MBP and target proteins facilitate structural studies .
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Therapeutic Secretion: Rescues ER-retained mutants (e.g., laminin β2 in congenital nephrotic syndrome) .
Comparative Analysis of MBP Proteins
Research Advances
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Myelin MBP Interactome: MBP associates with ribosomal proteins, RNA-binding factors (STAU1, TDP-43), and ubiquitin ligases (RNF40), suggesting roles beyond structural support .
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MBP Fusion Systems: Minimized 14-amino acid epitopes enable antibody-based purification without disrupting target protein function .
Product Specs
Maltose-binding periplasmic protein, MBP, MMBP, Maltodextrin-binding protein, malE, b4034, JW3994.
Human brain.
Product Science Overview
Myelin Basic Protein (MBP) is a crucial protein in the central nervous system (CNS), playing a significant role in the formation and maintenance of the myelin sheath. The myelin sheath is a multi-layered membrane that insulates nerve fibers, facilitating the rapid transmission of electrical impulses along the axon .
MBP is encoded by the MBP gene located on chromosome 18q23 in humans . The protein exists in several isoforms due to alternative splicing of the MBP gene. These isoforms vary in their amino acid sequences and molecular weights, which can influence their function and localization within the myelin sheath .
MBP has been extensively studied in the context of multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of the myelin sheath. In MS, the immune system mistakenly targets components of the myelin sheath, including MBP, leading to inflammation, demyelination, and axonal damage . The exact role of MBP in the pathogenesis of MS is still under investigation, but it is believed to be a potential autoantigen that triggers the immune response .
MBP is a highly basic protein, rich in arginine and lysine residues. Its structure is characterized by a high degree of intrinsic disorder, which allows it to interact with various molecular partners within the myelin sheath . This intrinsic disorder is thought to be crucial for its function in myelin compaction and stability .
Research on MBP has provided valuable insights into the mechanisms of myelination and demyelination. Understanding the molecular interactions and functions of MBP can aid in the development of therapeutic strategies for demyelinating diseases like MS. Additionally, MBP and its isoforms are being explored as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of MS .
