USC study unravels key component in the process of myelination

http://http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-11/uosc-urc110206.php

<P>Los Angeles, Nov. 2, 2006 (Eurekalert.org ) -A breakthrough finding on the mechanism of myelin formation by Jonah Chan, assistant professor of cell and neurobiology at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, could have a major impact on the treatment of diseases such as multiple sclerosis and demyelination as a result of spinal cord injuries.</P> <P>Myelin, the white matter that coats all nerves, allows long-distance communication in the nervous system. "It plays a vital role in the overall health and function of the nervous system, and its degeneration plays a role in a number of diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathies, and even in spinal cord injury," Chan explained.</P> <P>The study, "The Polarity Protein Par-3 Directly Interacts with p75NTR to Regulate Myelination", appears in the Nov. 3 issue of Science. Chan, who works at the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute at …</P> <P><A href="http://www.Eurekalert.org">(Cont’d) <BR></A></P>