A new discovery by scientists at the MNI may provide insights into Multiple...( >It is widely known that netrins are...)

> It is widely known that netrins are proteins that guide nerve cell axons to their target in the developing nervous system leading them to their target. In the embryo, this can involve axons travelling long distances. "In addition to this long-range function, last year we reported that netrin-1 may have a short-range function associated with the cell surface that contributes to the maintenance of nerve cell-oligodendrocyte interactions in the mature nervous system. This prompted us to study the possibility that netrin-1 might contribute to oligodendrocyte development," says Dr. Tim Kennedy, MNI researcher and co-discoverer of netrins.

The researchers showed that netrin acts as a repellent cue for migrating oligodendrocytes- directing them to move away from sources of netrin. "This result was very exciting for us because netrins are ancient signposts in developing nervous systems," says Dr. Kennedy. "They've been pointing axons in the right direction for at least 500 million years. Although 500 million years ago very simple animals did exist -like little worms, oligodendrocytes had not yet evolved. Evolution has been suggested to work like someone who tinkers with bits and pieces to make new things, like pasting together bits and pieces of other pictures to make a new image. In the natural history of oligodendrocyte cell biology, netrin is an example of something that was already there doing other things, that got picked up along the way and applied to a new purpose."

"Understanding the basic biology of oligodendrocytes is very important for MS. If we can understand what stimulates them to function, then perhaps we can develop new targets for therapy," explained Dr. Jack Antel, a neurologist at the Montreal Neurological Institute specializing in the research and treatment of MS.

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Contact: Sandra McPherson
sandra.mcpherson@mcgill.ca
514-398-1902
McGill University
13-May-2003

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