Three-dimensional Structure of Myelin Basic Protein

Abstract

Myelin basic protein (MBP) plays an integral role in the structure and function of the myelin sheath. In humans and cattle, an 18.5-kDa isoform of MBP predominates and exists as a multitude of charge isomers resulting from extensive and varied post-translational modifications. We have purified the least modified isomer (named C1) of the 18.5-kDa isoform of MBP from fresh bovine brain and imaged this protein as negatively stained single particles adsorbed to a lipid monolayer. Under these conditions, MBP/C1 presented diverse projections whose relative orientations were determined using an iterative quaternion-assisted angular reconstitution scheme. In different buffers, one with a low salt and the other with a high salt concentration, the conformation of the protein was slightly different. In low salt buffer, the three-dimensional reconstruction, solved to a resolution of 4 nm, had an overall “C” shape of outer radius 5.5 nm, inner radius 3 nm, overall circumference 15 nm, and height 4.7 nm. The three-dimensional reconstruction of the protein in high salt buffer, solved to a resolution of 2.8 nm, was essentially the same in terms of overall dimensions but had a somewhat more compact architecture. These results are the first structures achieved directly for this unusual macromolecule, which plays a key role in the development of multiple sclerosis.