Detection of BHMT in Oligodendrocytes

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the nervous system leading to degradation of the myelin sheath surrounding nerve cells. Methionine metabolism is a pathway that is negatively affected in MS. In MS, inflammation and increased reactive oxygen species lead to a buildup of homocysteine which can cause complications. Further, SAM is down-regulated in MS causing decreased methylation and subsequent gene expression. To counter this problem, BHMT is an enzyme that is activated by betaine and helps prevent the accumulation of homocysteine and is therefore able to proceed with the conversion into methionine. BHMT is present in oligodendrocytes but the reason is not yet known. The focus of this project is to look at BHMT expression and potential co-localization with other proteins through immunocytochemistry. This information will give us a better understanding of BHMT and its role in oligodendrocytes.