Radial component of central myelin in shiverer mouse.

'Radial component' of the central myelin was investigated in a neurological mutant mouse, shiverer, which is characterized by the lack of myelin basic protein and paucity of the major dense line in the CNS myelin. As has been noted previously in the normal as well as other neurological mutant mice, radial component consisted of rows of interlamellar tight junctions and was accompanied with electron lucent linear structures (ELLS) over the major dense lines. In the areas where major dense line had formed in shiverer CNS myelin, numerous ELLS run across the major dense lines and were not always associated with a fusion of double intraperiod lines. The possible role of ELLS in myelin formation is briefly discussed.