Identification of TmemlO as a Novel Late-stage Oligodendrocytes Marker for Detecting Hypomyelination

摘要

Oligodendrocytes ensheath axons to form compact insulating multilamellar structures known as myelin. TmemlO is a novel type I transmembrane glycoprotein that is highly expressed in oligodendrocytes and whose biological function remains largely unknown. Furthermore, the expression pattern of Tmem 10 remains a matter of some controversy. Given the inconsistency of its expression pattern and the lack of validated specific antibodies, Tmem 10 is not widely accepted as a marker for mature oligodendrocytes. As a means to solve these problems and to aid future studies of oligodendrocyte-associated diseases, we have generated a highly specific Tmem 10 antibody. Using this TmemlO antibody, we clarify that TmemlO protein is firstly expressed at 2 weeks in the postnatal mouse brain with age-related increase, only in the central nervous system (CNS). We also reveal that TmemlO is expressed specifically in late stage oligodendrocytes and later than MAG, a late-stage myelin marker. Finally, we show that Tmem 10 co-expresses with MOG- and MBP-positive myelin fibers and is dramatically reduced in a hypomyelination mouse model. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that Tmem 10 can be used as a specific marker for myelinating oligodendrocytes and perhaps for the evaluation of myelination diseases, such as multiple sclerosis.