Adhesion molecule that mediates interactions between myelinating cells and neurons by binding to neuronal sialic acid-containing gangliosides and to the glycoproteins RTN4R and RTN4RL2. Not required for initial myelination, but seems to play a role in the maintenance of normal axon myelination. Protects motoneurons against apoptosis, also after injury; protection against apoptosis is probably mediated via interaction with neuronal RTN4R and RTN4RL2. Required to prevent degeneration of myelinated axons in adults; this probably depends on binding to gangliosides on the axon cell membrane. Negative regulator of neurite outgrowth; in dorsal root ganglion neurons the inhibition is mediated primarily via binding to neuronal RTN4R or RTN4RL2 and to a lesser degree via binding to neuronal gangliosides. In cerebellar granule cells the inhibition is mediated primarily via binding to neuronal gangliosides. In sensory neurons, inhibition of neurite extension depends only partially on RTN4R, RTN4RL2 and gangliosides. Inhibits axon longitudinal growth. Inhibits axon outgrowth by binding to RTN4R. Preferentially binds to alpha-2,3-linked sialic acid. Binds ganglioside Gt1b.
Gene References into Functions
MAG, a RGD tri-peptide containing protein, forms a complex with beta1-integrin to mediate axonal growth cone turning responses of several neuronal types.PMID:18922173
only nucleotides 1315-1412 show ligand responsiveness to neurotrophin 3 (NT3) and myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG)PMID:20308067
MAG inhibits regeneration by interaction with NgR. Binding of and inhibition by MAG are lost if neuronal GPI-linked proteins are cleaved. Binding of MAG to NgR-expressing cells is GPI dependent and sialic acid independent.PMID:12160746
Localisation within lipid rafts may provide a molecular environment that facilitates the interaction between MAG and multiple receptors and also between MAG ligands and molecules involved in signal transduction.PMID:12691736
induces phosphorylation of CRMP-2 in postnatal cerebellar neuronsPMID:16595691
Exercise significantly decreased the levels of myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), a potent axonal growth inhibitor, suggesting that downregulation of MAG is part of the mechanism through which exercise reduces growth inhibition.PMID:17497667
Gangliosides and Nogo receptors independently mediate myelin-associated glycoprotein inhibition of neurite outgrowth in different nerve cellsPMID:17640868
Our results suggest that MAG can inhibit the neuronal differentiation of neural progenitor cellsPMID:19349915
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Subcellular Location
Cell membrane; Single-pass type I membrane protein. Membrane raft.
Protein Families
Immunoglobulin superfamily, SIGLEC (sialic acid binding Ig-like lectin) family
Tissue Specificity
Detected in myelin. Detected in olfactory bulb and throughout the brain (at protein level). Detected in brain.