Role of myelin-associated glycoprotein (siglec-4a) in the nervous system

PABLO HECTOR HORACIO LOPEZ

Glycobiology of the Nervous System

Springer

Año: 2014; p. 245 - 262

Myelin-associated glycoprotein(MAG) is selectively expressed by myelinating cells including Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS). Due to its selective location and its effects on neurons it was originally thought to be involved in axon-glia communication. Generation of MAG-deficient mice greatly expanded our knowledge about the physiological role of MAG, which helped to establish its critical roles in the normal formation and maintenance of myelinated axons. Interest in MAG was revived when it was described as the first myelin-derived inhibitor of axon regeneration. Since then numerous publications have provided detailed information about its axonal receptors and their signaling pathways. Recently the nurture role of MAG on neurons was confirmed. On the other hand, MAG mediates signals coming from the axons that strongly impact on oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells, highlighting the bidirectional nature of axon-glia communication. Overall MAG is a critical component of axon-glia interactions with multiple functions in the biology of both neurons and glial cells.