Myelin lipid metabolism and its role in myelination and myelin maintenance

Joseph A. Barnes-Vélez, Fatma Betul Aksoy Yasar, Jian Hu

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Myelin is a specialized cell membrane indispensable for rapid nerve conduction. The high abundance of membrane lipids is one of myelin's salient features that contribute to its unique role as an insulator that electrically isolates nerve fibers across their myelinated surface. The most abundant lipids in myelin include cholesterol, glycosphingolipids, and plasmalogens, each playing critical roles in myelin development as well as function. This review serves to summarize the role of lipid metabolism in myelination and myelin maintenance, as well as the molecular determinants of myelin lipid homeostasis, with an emphasis on findings from genetic models. In addition, the implications of myelin lipid dysmetabolism in human diseases are highlighted in the context of hereditary leukodystrophies and neuropathies as well as acquired disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number100360
JournalInnovation
Volume4
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 30 2023

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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