Wilfrid Laurier University Scholars Commons @ Laurier Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive) 2015 Characterization of the Trans-plasma Membrane Electron Transport System in the Myelin Membrane Afshan Sohail Wilfrid Laurier University,
[email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholars.wlu.ca/etd Part of the Biochemistry Commons, Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Commons, and the Molecular Biology Commons Recommended Citation Sohail, Afshan, "Characterization of the Trans-plasma Membrane Electron Transport System in the Myelin Membrane" (2015). Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive). 1694. https://scholars.wlu.ca/etd/1694 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive) by an authorized administrator of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. Characterization of the Trans-plasma Membrane Electron Transport System in the Myelin Membrane By Afshan Sohail THESIS Submitted to the Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science In partial fulfillment of the requirements for Master of Science in Chemistry Wilfrid Laurier University 2014 © Afshan Sohail 2014 Abstract Myelination is the key feature of evolution in the nervous system of vertebrates. Myelin is the protrusion of glial cells. More specifically, "oligodendrocytes" in the central nervous system (CNS), and "Schwann" cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) form myelin membranes. Myelin remarkably, enhances the propagation of nerve impulses. However, myelin restricts the access of extracellular metabolites to the axons. A pathology called "demyelination" is associated with myelin. The myelin sheath is not only an insulator, but it is itself metabolically active. In this study it is hypothesized that the ratio of NAD(P)+/NAD(P)H and the glycolytic pathway of the myelin sheath is maintained via trans-plasma membrane electron transport system (t-PMET).