Similarities and dissimilarities between two myelin deficient mutant mice, Shiverer and mld.

In the brain of Shiverer and mld mutant mice, myelin is poorly compacted and the major dense line of the myelin is practically missing. Major biochemical differences were detected between mutations. In mld myelin, myelin basic proteins are mainly affected and 2', 3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNP) exhibits a very high specific activity. In Shiverer myelin, in addition to basic proteins, all major myelin proteins are also decreased while CNP specific activity is moderately increased.