Calnexin deficiency leads to dysmyelination

J Biol Chem. 2010 Jun 11;285(24):18928-38. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M110.107201. Epub 2010 Apr 16.

Abstract

Calnexin is a molecular chaperone and a component of the quality control of the secretory pathway. We have generated calnexin gene-deficient mice (cnx(-/-)) and showed that calnexin deficiency leads to myelinopathy. Calnexin-deficient mice were viable with no discernible effects on other systems, including immune function, and instead they demonstrated dysmyelination as documented by reduced conductive velocity of nerve fibers and electron microscopy analysis of sciatic nerve and spinal cord. Myelin of the peripheral and central nervous systems of cnx(-/-) mice was disorganized and decompacted. There were no abnormalities in neuronal growth, no loss of neuronal fibers, and no change in fictive locomotor pattern in the absence of calnexin. This work reveals a previously unrecognized and important function of calnexin in myelination and provides new insights into the mechanisms responsible for myelin diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Calnexin / genetics*
  • Calnexin / metabolism
  • Calnexin / physiology*
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Demyelinating Diseases / metabolism*
  • Electrophysiology / methods
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Myelin Sheath / metabolism*
  • Protein Folding
  • Sciatic Nerve / metabolism
  • Sciatic Nerve / ultrastructure
  • Spinal Cord / metabolism
  • Spinal Cord / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Calnexin