Zinc as an inhibitor of myelin basic protein proteolytic breakdown in the central nervous system
Liuzzi, G.M.; Ventola, A.; Rizzo, T.; Riccio, P.; Quagliariello, E.
Acta Neurologica 13(2): 153-161
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-6276 PMID: 1716401 Document Number: 369469
It is known that central nervous system myelin contains proteolytic enzymes which degrade the myelin basic protein (MBP). We have found that zinc acetate is able to inhibit MBP cleavage at concentrations of 1 mM or higher. Furthermore, the Zn-inhibitable MBP-degrading activity was found to be water-soluble and able to recognize MBP also if this protein was protected by its lipidic environment in the native-like, lipid-bound form. Data presented here suggest a Zn-dependent metallo-protease which recognize MBP as a substrate probably even in the myelin sheath, when the protein is not yet released from the membrane.