Axonal transport: each major rate component reflects the movement of distinct macromolecular complexes.

The proteins of the three major rate components of axonal transport in guinea pig retinal ganglion cells were analyzed by one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Each rate component consisted of a different set of proteins that remained associated with each other during transport. This suggests that each rate component represents a distinct macromolecular complex and that these complexes may be definable organelles such as microtubules, microfilaments, and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Thus, the transport of radiolabeled proteins in the axon reflects the movement of complete subcellular rather than the movement of individual proteins.