Multiple Sclerosis

• 26 Apr 2023

Why in News?

Recently, Scientists have fabricated monolayers of pure Myelin Basic Protein (MBP).

• MBP is a major protein component of the myelin sheath, a protective membrane that wraps around the axon of nerve cells and acts as a model protein in studying diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS).

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

• About:
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS).
    • In MS, the immune system attacks and damages the myelin sheath, a protective covering that surrounds the nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord, causing a range of symptoms.
• Symptoms:
  • Muscle weakness and Numbness
    • Bladder Problems: A person may have difficulty emptying their bladder or need to urinate frequently or suddenly
    • Bowel problems, Fatigue, Dizziness, and damaged nerve fibers in the spinal cord.
  • Since symptoms are common, people don’t often recognise the disease early and often takes many years for someone to be diagnosed, as it is impossible to determine a specific cause or trigger.
• Causes:
  • The exact cause of the disease is unknown, but it could be a combination of:
    • Genetic factors: Susceptibility may pass down in the genes
    • Smoking and Stress
    • Vitamin D and B12 deficiency

What are the Key Highlights from the Research?

• Understanding the Behaviour of Protein under Variable pH Conditions:
  • The researchers studied how the protein behaved in different levels of acidity, by looking at different parts of the layer formed on top of the water.
  • They found that the stiffness of the layer was related to the specific patterns formed and the space they occupied on the water surface.
• Fabricated MBP Layer:
  • The researchers have created a tightly packed layer of MBP using Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique.
    • The Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique is a process used to create monolayers of molecules, including proteins, at air-water and air-solid interfaces.
  • This layer can be used to study the different properties of MBP in 2D and how it interacts with other proteins.
    • The researchers also found that the layer can act as a template for other proteins to crystallize on, which can help in studying their structures.
  • Overall, this research helps us better understand the role of MBP in our bodies and how it interacts with other molecules.

What is the Central Nervous System?

• Central nervous system (CNS) is composed of the brain and spinal cord:
  • The brain is responsible for processing information and controlling body functions.
  • The spinal cord acts as a relay between the brain and the rest of the body.
• The CNS is protected by the skull and spinal column.
  • Neurons are the basic building blocks of the CNS.
  • The CNS uses neurotransmitters to communicate between neurons.
• Disorders of the CNS can result in a wide range of neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Multiple sclerosis.

Source: PIB