Isolation and partial characterization of the myelin basic protein from fetal calf brains

The myelin basic protein has been isolated from brains of fetal calves 30-65 cm crown-rump length. It has been shown to be indistinguishable from the adult bovine encephalitogen (A1 myelin basic protein) by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels with and without sodium dodecyl sulfate and by chromatography on CM-cellulose, and Sephadex G-100. The subcellular localization, molecular weight, absorption spectrum, amino acid composition and partial sequence confirm the identity of these two proteins. Changes in the concentration of the myelin basic protein during maturation were compared with histological changes in myelination during maturation. The biochemical and histological studies indicated that the synthesis of the myelin basic protein probably occurs concomitantly with myelination.