Co-localization of ras gene products and cathepsin L in cytoplasmic vesicles in v-Ha-ras-transformed NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts.

Subcellular localisation of Ha-ras gene products (p21) and cathepsin L was investigated by immunocytochemical studies. Western blotting analysis by using v-Ha-ras p21 deletion-insertion mutants indicated that NCC-RAS-001 and -004 monoclonal antibodies recognize epitopes within amino acids 126-140 and 146-165, respectively, of Ha-ras p21. Indirect immunofluorescent studies using these antibodies showed that ras p21 is distributed in patch-shaped structures in the cytoplasm. Cathepsin L whose activity is effectively inhibited by p21s in vitro was found in the regions where p21s are concentrated. These p21-concentrated regions may be derived from endosome-like vesicles because they are also labeled with Lucifer Yellow. The co-localization of p21 and cathepsin L in cytoplasmic vesicles was also confirmed by electron microscopic immunocytochemistry.