This gene encodes a transmembrane proteolipid protein that is the predominant component of myelin. The encoded protein may play a role in the compaction, stabilization, and maintenance of myelin sheaths, as well as in oligodendrocyte development and axonal survival. Mutations in this gene cause Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease and spastic paraplegia type 2. Alternatively splicing results in multiple transcript variants, including the DM20 splice variant. [provided by RefSeq, Feb 2015].