Tissue and subcellular distributions of an inhibitory GDP/GTP exchange protein (GDI) for the rho proteins by use of its specific antibody.

We have recently purified from bovine brain cytosol to near homogeneity a GDP/GTP exchange protein for the rho proteins, named rho GDI, that inhibits the dissociation of GDP from and the subsequent binding of GTP to the rho proteins. In the present study, we made a monoclonal antibody against rho GDI and studied its tissue distribution in rat and its subcellular distribution in rat cerebrum by use of this antibody. rho GDI was found in most rat tissues as described for the rho proteins. In rat cerebrum, rho GDI was mostly found in the cytosol of neuron body and synaptosome. In synaptosome, it was mainly found in the synaptic cytosol.