An immunological characterization of the basic proteins of rodent sciatic nerve myelin

Radioimmunoassays (RIA) for the myelin basic protein (MBP) and P2 protein together with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) were used to establish the identities of and relationships between the basic proteins (BP) of rodent peripheral nervous system (PNS) myelin. The PNS myelin proteins studied, in order of increasing mobility of SDS-PAGE, are P1, PR (R = rodent) and PB (B = breakdown). The majority of the acid extractable proteins of rodent PNS myelin are MBP related as shown by MBP-RIA. When tested individually, rodents P1, PR and PB were each found to cross-react in the RIA for MBP but not that for P2. The acid extracts of rodent PNS myelin were found to contain P2, although in minute quantities. P2 accounts for approximately 0.05-1.0% of the acid extractable protein in rodent PNS myelin.