The protein encoded by this gene is a type I membrane protein and member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. It is thought to be involved in the process of myelination. It is a lectin that binds to sialylated glycoconjugates and mediates certain myelin-neuron cell-cell interactions. Three alternatively spliced transcripts encoding different isoforms have been described for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Nov 2010]
Forensic Context
A study in rats using an organotypic hippocampal slice model of traumatic brain injury demonstrated that the MAG is implicated in axon regeneration blockade, as it was upregulated following a severe (50% Lagrangian) stretch injury [Di Pietro et al. DOI:10.1089/neu.2009.1095].