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Review
. 2009 Oct:24:290-7.
doi: 10.1152/physiol.00016.2009.

Oligodendrocyte development and myelin biogenesis: parsing out the roles of glycosphingolipids

Nicole Jackman  1 , Akihiro Ishii, Rashmi Bansal
Affiliations
Review

Oligodendrocyte development and myelin biogenesis: parsing out the roles of glycosphingolipids

Nicole Jackman et al. Physiology (Bethesda). 2009 Oct.

Abstract

The myelin sheath is an extension of the oligoddendrocyte (OL) plasma membrane enriched in lipids that ensheaths the axons of the central and peripheral nervous system. Here, we review the involvement of glycosphingolipids in myelin/OL functions, including the regulation of OL differentiation, lipid raft-mediated trafficking and signaling, and neuron-glia interactions.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Biosynthesis of Glycosphingolipids
Ceremide is converted to galactocerebroside (GalC) by the enzyme UDP-galactose:ceramide galactosyltransferase (CGT) and then to sulfatide by cerebroside sulfotransferase (CST). Ceramide is also sequentially converted by glucosyltransferase (GlcT) to glucocerebroside (GlcCer) and then by galactosyltransferase (GalT1) to lactosylceramide (LacCer). Gangliosides, excluding GM4, are generated from LacCer by the stepwise action of sialyltransferases (SATI, II, III) to yield GM3, GD3, and GT3, the backbones for complex gangliosides (not shown). GM4 is produced from GalC, by a sialyltransferase (SAT). Adapted from Taylor et al., 2004.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Diagramatic representation of oligodendrocyte differentiation pathway
Each stage of oligodendrocyte maturation is defined by the expression of specific lipid and protein markers, change in morphology, migratory and proliferative capacity of cells. The most commonly used lipid markers and names of antibodies are shown. Lineage progression can be reversibly blocked in culture by treatment with R-mAb antibody. OL: oligodendrocyte; POA: pro-oligodendroblast antigen; GalC: galactocerebroside; SUL: sulfatide; GD3: ganglioside. A2B5, O4, O1, R-mAb: names of antibodies. Adapted from Pfeiffer et al., 1993; Taylor et al., 2004.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3. Disruption of Axon-Glial interaction in the CGT- and CST-null mice
Oligodendrocyte processes wrap around axons to form the myelin sheath. Myelinated regions of the axons (internodes), are interrupted by non-myelinated regions (Nodes of Ranvier). Astrocytic processes cuff the nodes. Myelinated axons have four distinct domains: node (N), paranode (PN), juxtaparanode (JPN), and internode (INT). In the CGT- or CST-null mice the paranodal loops of myelin are everted away from the axon, due to a loss of junctions (transverse bands) and the disruption of co-clustering of myelin protein, NF-155 with its axonal partners Caspr/contactin as in the wild type mice. Adapted from Salzer 2003.
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