Externally disposed polypeptides of chick synaptosomal plasma membrane. Identification with pyridoxal phosphate and sodium borotritide.

The topographical distribution of polypeptides in chick brain synaptic plasma membrane was studied using pyridoxal phosphate-sodium borotritide labeling. Labeling of intact synaptosomes was restricted to the external surface only by very careful adjustment of the reaction conditions. Fourteen major external polypeptides were labeled. These had apparent molecular weights of 210 000, 160 000, 130 000, 100 000, 92 000, 82 000, 60 000, 52 000, 42 000, 34 000, 29 000, 26 000, 24 000, and 19 000. Most of the label was incorporated into the 42 000, 29 000 and 26 000 dalton polypeptides.