Bovine brain gray and white matter exhibit differential protein prenyl transferase activity.

Protein farnesyl transferase and geranylgeranyl transferase-I activities were determined in gray and white matter from various regions of bovine brain. Farnesyl transferase activity was 3-8 times greater than geranylgeranyl transferase-I activity. However, farnesyl transferase activity was about 2 times greater in the white matter than in the gray matter in all regions of the brain. Mixing experiments indicated lack of farnesyl transferase activators in white matter. This difference in farnesyl transferase activity may be due to enzyme content and may have implications in brain cell function.