Myelin-associated Glycoprotein is Produced Before Myelin Basic Protein in Cultured Oligodendrocytes

Mixed glial cell cultures from neonatal dog cerebellum were harvested daily between 3 and 21 days after seeding and studied with immunocytochemical techniques for the demonstration of myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) and myelin basic protein (MBP). Both MAG and MBP were detected in the cultures and by means of double labelling techniques shown to be produced by the same cells. MAG+ cells occurred earlier and were always more numerous than MBP+ cells. These results suggest that the oligodendrocyte in vitro expresses MAG before MBP. The findings are discussed in respect to oligodendroglial differentiation and myelination in vivo.