Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Mitochondrial Membranes

Mitochondrial Membranes

A single mitochondrion is a bean-shaped organelle enclosed by a double-membrane system. The outer membrane of mitochondria is smooth and contains many porins - the integral membrane transporters. Porins enable free diffusion of ions and small uncharged molecules through the outer mitochondrial membrane but limit the transport of molecules larger than 5000 Daltons. Further, the outer mitochondrial membrane forms a unique structure called membrane contact sites with other subcellular organelles,...

Mitochondrial Membranes

Mitochondrial Membranes

A single mitochondrion is a bean-shaped organelle enclosed by a double-membrane system. The outer membrane of mitochondria is smooth and contains many porins - the integral membrane transporters. Porins enable free diffusion of ions and small uncharged molecules through the outer mitochondrial membrane but limit the transport of molecules larger than 5000 Daltons. Further, the outer mitochondrial membrane forms a unique structure called membrane contact sites with other subcellular organelles,...

The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane

The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane

The inner mitochondrial membrane is the primary site of ATP synthesis. The inner membrane domain that forms a smooth layer adjacent to the outer membrane is called the inner boundary membrane. This domain contains membrane transporters that drive metabolites in and out of the mitochondria. In contrast, the inner membrane network that invaginates into the matrix space is called the cristae membrane. This domain accounts for principle mitochondrial function as it accommodates the protein...

Mitochondria

Mitochondria

Mitochondria are eukaryotic cellular organelles that are known to produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Besides their primary function, mitochondria are involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, signaling, metabolism, and senescence. Age-related changes cause a decline in mitochondrial quality and integrity due to increased mitochondrial mutations and oxidative damage. Thus, aging can severely impact mitochondrial functions,...

Mitochondria

Mitochondria

Mitochondria are eukaryotic cellular organelles that are known to produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Besides their primary function, mitochondria are involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, signaling, metabolism, and senescence. Age-related changes cause a decline in mitochondrial quality and integrity due to increased mitochondrial mutations and oxidative damage. Thus, aging can severely impact mitochondrial functions,...

Nervous Tissue: Myelin

Nervous Tissue: Myelin

The myelin sheath is a multilayered lipid and protein covering that insulates the axon of a neuron, enhancing the speed of nerve impulse conduction. Axons without this sheath are referred to as unmyelinated. Two types of neuroglia, Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS) are responsible for producing myelin sheaths.
Schwann cells begin to form myelin sheaths around axons during fetal development. They wrap around a small...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Control of microglial dynamics by the Arp2/3 complex and the autism- and schizophrenia-associated protein CYFIP1.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026

Same author

GLP-1 activates K<sub>ATP</sub> channels in coronary pericytes as the effector of brain-gut-heart signalling mediating cardioprotection.

Nature communications·2026

Same author

The vascular contribution to cognitive decline in ageing and dementia.

Nature reviews. Neuroscience·2025

Same author

Inhibiting Ca<sup>2+</sup> channels in Alzheimer's disease model mice relaxes pericytes, improves cerebral blood flow and reduces immune cell stalling and hypoxia.

Nature neuroscience·2024

Same author

Glia in Neurodegenerative Disease.

Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in biology·2024

Same author

Developmental shaping of node of Ranvier geometry contributes to spike timing maturation in primary auditory afferents.

Cell reports·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 17, 2026

Three-dimensional Imaging and Analysis of Mitochondria within Human Intraepidermal Nerve Fibers

Three-dimensional Imaging and Analysis of Mitochondria within Human Intraepidermal Nerve Fibers

Published on: September 29, 2017

Is myelin a mitochondrion?

Julia J Harris¹, David Attwell

¹Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, UK. j.j.harris@ucl.ac.uk

Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism : Official Journal of the International Society of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism

|October 18, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Myelin does not generate ATP. Calculations show proton flow across the myelin sheath generates insufficient energy for ATP synthesis, questioning its proposed energy-producing role.

More Related Videos

Using Live Cell STED Imaging to Visualize Mitochondrial Inner Membrane Ultrastructure in Neuronal Cell Models

Using Live Cell STED Imaging to Visualize Mitochondrial Inner Membrane Ultrastructure in Neuronal Cell Models

Published on: June 30, 2023

Preparation and Immunostaining of Myelinating Organotypic Cerebellar Slice Cultures

Preparation and Immunostaining of Myelinating Organotypic Cerebellar Slice Cultures

Published on: March 20, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 17, 2026

Three-dimensional Imaging and Analysis of Mitochondria within Human Intraepidermal Nerve Fibers

Three-dimensional Imaging and Analysis of Mitochondria within Human Intraepidermal Nerve Fibers

Published on: September 29, 2017

Using Live Cell STED Imaging to Visualize Mitochondrial Inner Membrane Ultrastructure in Neuronal Cell Models

Using Live Cell STED Imaging to Visualize Mitochondrial Inner Membrane Ultrastructure in Neuronal Cell Models

Published on: June 30, 2023

Preparation and Immunostaining of Myelinating Organotypic Cerebellar Slice Cultures

Preparation and Immunostaining of Myelinating Organotypic Cerebellar Slice Cultures

Published on: March 20, 2019

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cellular Biology
Bioenergetics

Background:

The myelin sheath, formed by oligodendrocytes, is crucial for rapid nerve impulse conduction in the central nervous system.
A hypothesis proposed that myelin functions analogously to mitochondria, generating adenosine triphosphate (ATP) via its membrane.
Investigating the bioenergetic capabilities of myelin is essential for understanding oligodendrocyte function and CNS energy metabolism.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the bioenergetic feasibility of ATP synthesis within the myelin sheath.
To determine if proton motive force across the myelin membrane can support ATP production.
To assess the potential role of the myelin sheath in cellular energy generation.

Main Methods:

Calculation of the proton motive force (PMF) across the myelin membrane.
Utilizing established values for oligodendrocyte pH and membrane potential.
Thermodynamic analysis of potential ATP synthesis based on PMF.

Main Results:

The calculated proton motive force across the myelin membrane is insufficient to drive ATP synthesis.
If respiratory chain components were present, ATP synthase would likely operate in reverse, consuming ATP.
The energy potential within the myelin sheath does not support a mitochondrion-like function.

Conclusions:

The hypothesis that myelin acts as an energy-generating organelle is not supported by bioenergetic calculations.
Myelin's role is unlikely to involve ATP synthesis through proton flow.
These findings cast significant doubt on the proposed energy-producing function of the myelin sheath.