Bral1: "Superglue" for the extracellular matrix in the brain white matter

Michal Cicanic; Eva Sykova; Lydia Vargova

doi:10.1016/j.biocel.2012.01.009

Bral1: "Superglue" for the extracellular matrix in the brain white matter

Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2012 Apr;44(4):596-9. doi: 10.1016/j.biocel.2012.01.009. Epub 2012 Jan 25.

Authors

Michal Cicanic¹, Eva Sykova, Lydia Vargova

Affiliation

¹ Department of Neuroscience and Center for Cell Therapy and Tissue Repair, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, V úvalu 84, 150 06 Prague 5, Czech Republic.

PMID: 22300985
DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2012.01.009

Abstract

Bral1 is a link protein that stabilizes the binding between lecticans and hyaluronic acid and thus maintains the extracellular matrix assembly in the CNS. Bral1 is specifically located in the white matter around the nodes of Ranvier. Recent studies suggest its function in promoting saltatory neural conduction. This article reviews the current knowledge about the structure, expression and function of this link protein.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Brain / cytology*
Brain / metabolism
Extracellular Matrix / metabolism*
Gene Expression Regulation
Humans
Nerve Tissue Proteins / chemistry
Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

Nerve Tissue Proteins