Myelin Genes Whose Expression Is Linked with Parkinson’s Disease

Myelin is a highly specialized form of plasma membrane. Gradual loss of myelin is one of the characteristic features of both age-related and pathological changes in the brain. This review seeks to characterize the spectrum of genes whose products take part in the formation and functioning of myelin in the CNS and to assess their possible contributions to the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Analysis of published data obtained on model objects and patients with PD identified several myelin protein genes which may be associated with the development of PD. The genes for PLP1, MOBP, FA2H, and HSPA8 are the most promising for studies of their contributions to the pathogenesis of PD.