Age-Dependent Increase in Schmidt-Lanterman Incisures and a Cadm4-Associated Membrane Skeletal Complex in Fatty Acid 2-hydroxylase Deficient Mice: a Mouse Model of Spastic Paraplegia SPG35

PNS and CNS myelin contain large amounts of galactocerebroside and sulfatide with 2-hydroxylated fatty acids. The underlying hydroxylation reaction is catalyzed by fatty acid 2-hydroxylase (FA2H). Deficiency in this enzyme causes a complicated hereditary spastic paraplegia, SPG35, which is associated with leukodystrophy. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics of purified myelin isolated from sciatic nerves of Fa2h -deficient ( Fa2h −/− ) mice revealed an increase in the concentration of the three proteins Cadm4, Mpp6 (Pals2), and protein band 4.1G (Epb41l2) in 17-month-old, but not in young (4 to 6-month-old), Fa2h −/− mice. These proteins are known to form a complex, together with the protein Lin7, in Schmidt-Lanterman incisures (SLIs). Accordingly, the number of SLIs was significantly increased in 17-month-old but not 4-month-old Fa2h −/− mice compared to age-matched wild-type mice. On the other hand, the relative increase in the SLI frequency was less pronounced than expected from Cadm4, Lin7, Mpp6 (Pals2), and band 4.1G (Epb41l2) protein levels. This suggests that the latter not only reflect the higher SLI frequency but that the concentration of the Cadm4 containing complex itself is increased in the SLIs or compact myelin of Fa2h −/− mice and may potentially play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. The proteome data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD030244.