Rapidly transported proteins in sensory, motor and sympathetic nerves of the isolated frog nervous system.

The synthesis and rapid axonal transport of [35S]methionine-labelled proteins has been studied using the isolated frog spinal cord and peripheral nervous system. Polyaerylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecylsulfate of synthesized and transported proteins revealed similar labelling patterns of proteins transported in the sensory, motor and sympathetic systems. The relative labelling pattern of transported proteins which accumulated at ligatures in peripheral nerves was different from those obtained from ganglia or nerves and roots when they were incubated in labelled methionine. When compared with methionine-labelled protein profiles of rapid axonal transport in other species and systems, a common set of rapidly transported proteins emerges. The approximate molecular weights of these common proteins include (in 1000 daltons): 18,24-29, 34-36, 57, 65-68, 100 and 130. These proteins may represent fundamental macromolecules involved in the general maintenance of the function of nerve processes.