One of the cellular elements of the glia in the central nervous system (CNS) is the oligodendrocyte.

Lamella from these specialized cells, which warps the neuronal axons, provides and maintains the myelin

sheath that serves to speed up the action potentials by saltatory conduction. In oligodendrocytes there are a

large class of proteins predominantly cytoplasmic called Myelin Basic Proteins (MBP) that have a central role

in the myelin formation. During myelinogenesis, these cells extend branched processes toward axons and the

extension of these processes as well as the formation of the myelin sheaths are supported by the

oligodendrocyte cytoskeleton assembled by microtubules and microfilaments (1). Several studies have

recognized the relevance of cytoskeletal arrangement during the morphological differentiation of

oligodendrocytes (2-5) as well as the reorganization of microtubules and microfilaments during the formation of

processes and branches (6). The present review will emphasize the interaction between MBP and the

microtubules. Moreover among the putative functions derived from this interaction, and also between MBP and

microfilaments an active participation of MBP in oligodendroglial differentiation has been suggested. Thus,

beside the known role of MBP in myelin compaction, another function of MBP is in the ordering of the

oligodendrocytes cytoskeletal elements during the CNS axonal myelination.

In general the cytoskeleton participates in several functions of eukaryotic cells. It is responsible of

maintenance of cell morphology, intracellular vesicular transport and cell surface receptor modulation. It is also

vital for the processes of cell motility, differentiation and mitosis (7). The microtubules are actively implicated in

these functions. The dynamic characteristics of the microtubules are not only depending of intrinsic dynamic

properties but also on the microtubule interactions with several cytoplasmic proteins. The putative role of MBP

as a microtubule-interacting protein concerned in the coordination of cytoskeleton changes during

oligodendrocyte differentiation and how its post-translational modifications are involved in these interactions

will be the focus of discussion in this chapter.