The myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) has been identified as the antigen for an IgM paraprotein present in some patients with peripheral neuropathy. The immunochemical characteristics of the MAG epitope recognized by the IgM indicate that the same epitope is recognized by all patients and that carbohydrate is an essential component of this epitope. The synthesis of mouse MAG during development has also been studied. Two developmentally regulated MAG polypeptides have been characterized in the central nervous system (CNS) and it appears that two MAG proteins exist in-vivo. The developmental synthesis of the two MAG polypeptides was abnormal in the CNS of two dysmyelinating mutants. Finally, it appears that only one polypeptide is synthesized in the peripheral nervous system. The role of MAG in both demyelinating diseases and in normal myelination is discussed in the light of these observations.

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