FBXW7 regulates MYRF levels to control myelin capacity and homeostasis in the adult central nervous system

Abstract Myelin, along with the oligodendrocytes (OLs) that produce it, is essential for proper central nervous system (CNS) function in vertebrates. Although the accurate targeting of myelin to axons and its maintenance are critical for CNS performance, the molecular pathways that regulate these pr...

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Main Authors: Hannah Y. Collins, Ryan A. Doan, Jiaxing Li, Jason E. Early, Megan E. Madden, Tyrell Simkins, David A. Lyons, Kelly R. Monk, Ben Emery
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62715-9
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author Hannah Y. Collins
Ryan A. Doan
Jiaxing Li
Jason E. Early
Megan E. Madden
Tyrell Simkins
David A. Lyons
Kelly R. Monk
Ben Emery
author_facet Hannah Y. Collins
Ryan A. Doan
Jiaxing Li
Jason E. Early
Megan E. Madden
Tyrell Simkins
David A. Lyons
Kelly R. Monk
Ben Emery
author_sort Hannah Y. Collins
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Myelin, along with the oligodendrocytes (OLs) that produce it, is essential for proper central nervous system (CNS) function in vertebrates. Although the accurate targeting of myelin to axons and its maintenance are critical for CNS performance, the molecular pathways that regulate these processes remain poorly understood. Through a combination of zebrafish genetics, mouse models, and primary OL cultures, we find that FBXW7, a recognition subunit of an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, is a regulator of adult myelination in the CNS. Loss of Fbxw7 in myelinating OLs results in increased myelin sheath lengths with no change in myelin thickness. As the animals age, they develop progressive abnormalities including myelin outfolds, disrupted paranodal organization, and ectopic ensheathment of neuronal cell bodies with myelin. Through biochemical studies we find that FBXW7 directly binds and degrades the N-terminus of Myelin Regulatory Factor (N-MYRF), to control the balance between OL myelin growth and homeostasis.
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spelling doaj-art-28205be2d08244ad98d7aead0bc8e7882025-08-24T11:36:42ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-08-0116111910.1038/s41467-025-62715-9FBXW7 regulates MYRF levels to control myelin capacity and homeostasis in the adult central nervous systemHannah Y. Collins0Ryan A. Doan1Jiaxing Li2Jason E. Early3Megan E. Madden4Tyrell Simkins5David A. Lyons6Kelly R. Monk7Ben Emery8Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science UniversityVollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science UniversityVollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science UniversityCentre for Discovery Brain Sciences, MS Society Edinburgh Centre for MS Research, University of EdinburghCentre for Discovery Brain Sciences, MS Society Edinburgh Centre for MS Research, University of EdinburghJungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science UniversityCentre for Discovery Brain Sciences, MS Society Edinburgh Centre for MS Research, University of EdinburghVollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science UniversityJungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science UniversityAbstract Myelin, along with the oligodendrocytes (OLs) that produce it, is essential for proper central nervous system (CNS) function in vertebrates. Although the accurate targeting of myelin to axons and its maintenance are critical for CNS performance, the molecular pathways that regulate these processes remain poorly understood. Through a combination of zebrafish genetics, mouse models, and primary OL cultures, we find that FBXW7, a recognition subunit of an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, is a regulator of adult myelination in the CNS. Loss of Fbxw7 in myelinating OLs results in increased myelin sheath lengths with no change in myelin thickness. As the animals age, they develop progressive abnormalities including myelin outfolds, disrupted paranodal organization, and ectopic ensheathment of neuronal cell bodies with myelin. Through biochemical studies we find that FBXW7 directly binds and degrades the N-terminus of Myelin Regulatory Factor (N-MYRF), to control the balance between OL myelin growth and homeostasis.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62715-9
spellingShingle Hannah Y. Collins
Ryan A. Doan
Jiaxing Li
Jason E. Early
Megan E. Madden
Tyrell Simkins
David A. Lyons
Kelly R. Monk
Ben Emery
FBXW7 regulates MYRF levels to control myelin capacity and homeostasis in the adult central nervous system
Nature Communications
title FBXW7 regulates MYRF levels to control myelin capacity and homeostasis in the adult central nervous system
title_full FBXW7 regulates MYRF levels to control myelin capacity and homeostasis in the adult central nervous system
title_fullStr FBXW7 regulates MYRF levels to control myelin capacity and homeostasis in the adult central nervous system
title_full_unstemmed FBXW7 regulates MYRF levels to control myelin capacity and homeostasis in the adult central nervous system
title_short FBXW7 regulates MYRF levels to control myelin capacity and homeostasis in the adult central nervous system
title_sort fbxw7 regulates myrf levels to control myelin capacity and homeostasis in the adult central nervous system
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62715-9
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