Immunoblot identification of phosphorylated basic proteins of rat and rabbit CNS and PNS myelin: evidence for four phosphorylated basic proteins and P2 in rat PNS myelin.

The immunoblot technique permits the visualization of proteins following their separation on acrylamide gels, transfer to cellulose nitrate sheets and subsequent staining with antiserum. We have utilized this technique to demonstrate the presence of four basic proteins in rat PNS myelin with molecular weights of 21K, 18K, 17K, and 14K. Similarly, we demonstrated the presence of two basic proteins in rabbit PNS myelin (molecular weights of 21K and 18K). Exposure of the immunostained cellulose nitrate strips to X-ray film revealed the phosphorylation of four and two basic proteins in rat and rabbit PNS myelin, respectively. These basic proteins were present in the CNS myelin of the two species and were also phosphorylated. Because of the sensitivity of the immunoblot technique, it was also possible for us to visualize the P2 protein in both rat and rabbit PNS myelin.