We are studying CNS myelin development, using the single gene mutations (jp, jp(msd), qk, shi, shi(mld) which impair CNS myelination in the mouse. The myelin defects are reproduced in organotypic of cerebellum, but can be """"""""cured"""""""" by introducing normal optic nerve into the cultures as a source of normal oligodendroglia. Cultures of normal cerebellum, stripped of resident oligodendroglia by mitonic inhibitors, will also accept myelination by introduced normal optic nerve glia. We plan to define the details of mitosis, migration, maturation, and myelination of normal oligodendroglia in this culture system: to study the corresponding in vitro properties of mutant optic nerve glia; to study the abnormal shapes of mutant oligodendroglia in Golgi impregnations and serial section reconstructions; to study the morphology of double mutant mice (shi + jp) which have been discovered to have unexpected biochemical properties; and to inaugurate culture studies of a newly discovered mutation. Methods employed will be tissue culture, light and electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, 3H-thymidine autoradiography, computer-aided 3-dimensional reconstruction, and practical genetics. The goal is to define the role of the wild-type DNA normally present at the mutant loci, which is part of the genetic program for CNS myelin formation and maintenance.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS011425-16
Application #
3394475
Study Section
Neurology B Subcommittee 2 (NEUB)
Project Start
1977-12-01
Project End
1991-11-30
Budget Start
1989-12-01
Budget End
1991-11-30
Support Year
16
Fiscal Year
1990
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
660735098
City
Worcester
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
01655
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Billings-Gagliardi, S; Nunnari, J J; Wolf, M K (2001) Rumpshaker behaves like juvenile-lethal Plp mutations when combined with shiverer in double mutant mice. Dev Neurosci 23:7-16
Billings-Gagliardi, S; Nunnari, J N; Nadon, N L et al. (1999) Evidence that CNS hypomyelination does not cause death of jimpy-msd mutant mice. Dev Neurosci 21:473-82
Wolf, M K; Nunnari, J N; Billings-Gagliardi, S (1999) Quaking*shiverer double-mutant mice survive for at least 100 days with no CNS myelin. Dev Neurosci 21:483-90
Dyer, C A; Phillbotte, T; Wolf, M K et al. (1997) Regulation of cytoskeleton by myelin components: studies on shiverer oligodendrocytes carrying an Mbp transgene. Dev Neurosci 19:395-409
Pearsall, G B; Nadon, N L; Wolf, M K et al. (1997) Jimpy-4J mouse has a missense mutation in exon 2 of the Plp gene. Dev Neurosci 19:337-41
Billings-Gagliardi, S; Kirschner, D A; Nadon, N L et al. (1995) Jimpy 4J: a new X-linked mouse mutation producing severe CNS hypomyelination. Dev Neurosci 17:300-10
Dyer, C A; Philibotte, T M; Billings-Gagliardi, S et al. (1995) Cytoskeleton in myelin-basic-protein-deficient shiverer oligodendrocytes. Dev Neurosci 17:53-62
Billings-Gagliardi, S; Tosic, M; Matthieu, J M et al. (1991) Quantitative differences between homozygous 'USA' and 'Swiss' mld mutant mice. Dev Neurosci 13:87-97
Sinclair, A; Raz, Y; Kirschner, D A et al. (1991) Shiverer jimpy double mutant mice. V. Correlation of genotype and myelin proteins. Dev Neurosci 13:138-42

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