Intrasynaptosomal distribution of the ras, rho and smg-25A GTP-binding proteins in bovine brain.

We have purified to near homogeneity and characterized three small molecular weight (Mr) GTP-binding proteins, the c-Ki-ras protein (c-Ki-ras p21), the rho protein (rho p20) and a novel smg-25A protein (smg p25A), from bovine brain crude membranes. In the present studies, the intrasynaptosomal distribution of these 3 small Mr G protein has been investigated using bovine brain. ras p21 and rho p20 are found in the synaptosomal membrane fraction but not in the synaptosomal soluble fraction. In contrast, smg p25A is found in both the synaptosomal membrane and soluble fractions. These results indicate that the intrasynaptosomal distribution of these small Mr G proteins is different and suggest that they are involved in different neuronal functions.