Myelin sheath: A new possible role in sleep mechanism, 2011, Morelli et al

To the Editor:

Myelin sheath, the multilayered membrane produced by oligodendrocytes, plays a pivotal role in the surrounding axon, allowing the nerve to transmit its impulses rapidly. But there is growing evidence that myelin has also an unexplained neurotrophic role. We reported that the respiratory chain components are expressed in myelin, outside of mitochondria [1]. These components would generate a proton gradient across myelin membranes to support adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis by an F0–F1 ATP synthase. This may explain how in demyelinising diseases, like Multiple Sclerosis (MS), myelin loss causes an axonal necrosis.

Full letter made available by author on Researchgate, https://www.researchgate.net/profil...th-A-new-possible-role-in-sleep-mechanism.pdf