Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Monitoring Cleaved Caspase-3 Activity and Apoptosis of Immortalized Oligodendroglial Cells using Live-cell Imaging and Cleaveable Fluorogenic-dye Substrates Following Potassium-induced Membrane Depolarization
10:45

Monitoring Cleaved Caspase-3 Activity and Apoptosis of Immortalized Oligodendroglial Cells using Live-cell Imaging and Cleaveable Fluorogenic-dye Substrates Following Potassium-induced Membrane Depolarization

Published on: January 13, 2012

Myelin basic protein inhibits the calcium response to phytohaemagglutinin in human lymphocytes

T Bellini1, D Degani, M Matteuzzi

  • 1Istituto di Chimica Biologica, Universita' di Ferrara, Italy.

Bioscience Reports
|February 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

Myelin basic protein (MBP) pre-treatment reduces calcium rises in human lymphocytes stimulated by phytohaemagglutinin. This specific effect is linked to MBP binding to the cell surface, not protein interaction.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Cellular immunology
  • Molecular biology

Background:

  • Myelin Basic Protein (MBP) is a key component of the central nervous system myelin sheath.
  • Phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) is a lectin commonly used to stimulate lymphocytes and study cellular activation.
  • Calcium ions play a critical role in cellular signaling and activation pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular activation by PHA.
  • To determine the effect of Myelin Basic Protein (MBP) pre-treatment on PHA-induced lymphocyte activation.
  • To elucidate the specific role of MBP in modulating intracellular calcium concentration.

Main Methods:

  • Human lymphocytes were pre-treated with varying concentrations of Myelin Basic Protein (MBP).
  • Cells were subsequently stimulated with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA).
  • Cytosolic free calcium concentrations were measured to assess cellular activation.

Main Results:

  • Pre-treatment with MBP significantly reduced the rise in cytosolic calcium concentration following PHA stimulation.
  • The observed effect was dependent on both MBP concentration and pre-incubation time.
  • Specificity was demonstrated as other proteins (albumin, protamine) did not elicit a similar inhibitory effect.

Conclusions:

  • Myelin Basic Protein (MBP) modulates phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-induced lymphocyte activation by reducing calcium influx.
  • The mechanism involves MBP binding to the lymphocyte surface, not a direct interaction with PHA.
  • These findings suggest a novel role for MBP in regulating immune cell responses.

More Related Videos

Investigating Aortic Valve Calcification via Isolation and Culture of T Lymphocytes using Feeder Cells from Irradiated Buffy Coat04:30

Investigating Aortic Valve Calcification via Isolation and Culture of T Lymphocytes using Feeder Cells from Irradiated Buffy Coat

Published on: February 4, 2021

A Stably Established Two-Point Injection of Lysophosphatidylcholine-Induced Focal Demyelination Model in Mice04:55

A Stably Established Two-Point Injection of Lysophosphatidylcholine-Induced Focal Demyelination Model in Mice

Published on: May 11, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Calmodulin-dependent Signaling01:16

Calmodulin-dependent Signaling

Calmodulin (CaM) is a calcium-binding protein in eukaryotes that controls various calcium-regulated cellular processes. It has four calcium-binding sites that bind calcium to form the calcium-calmodulin ( Ca2+-CaM) complex. GPCR stimulation increases the calcium levels in the cells that bind to CaM and induces a conformational change.
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism01:30

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism

Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...
B Cell Activation and Differentiation01:24

B Cell Activation and Differentiation

The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...