[Immunological identity of neurospecific (SCP and P-2) proteins and SCP protein distribution in the nervous system]

Capacity of basic protein (SCP) to prevent the development of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis was studied in guinea pigs. This protein is shown to possess no antiencephalitogenic effect. Distribution of this protein in various areas of the central and peripheral nervous system was investigated using immune serum to the protein. The protein under study is shown to localize mainly in the peripheral nervous system: spinal roots, sciatic nerve, brachial plexus nerves, vagus and optic nerves, and in the central nervous system areas rich in nerve fibres: spinal cord, medulla oblongata, pons varolii, corpus callosum, white substance of cerebral cortex. The protein content in corpus callosum and white substance of cerebral cortex is extremely insignificant. Using the Ouchterlony reaction of double immunodiffusion the protein under study was found in the myelin membrane of the peripheral nervous system and its immunological identity to the myelin basic protein (P-2) is shown.