BOVINE BRAIN GRAY AND WHITE-MATTER EXHIBIT DIFFERENTIAL PROTEIN PRENYL TRANSFERASE-ACTIVITY

Protein farnesyl transferase and geranylgeranyl transferase-I activiti es were determined in gray and white matter from various regions of bo vine brain. Farnesyl transferase activity was 3-8 times greater than g eranylgeranyl transferase-I activity. However, famesyl transferase act ivity was about 2 times greater in the white matter than in the gray m atter in all regions of the brain. Mixing experiments indicated lack o f farnesyl transferase activators in white matter. This difference in famesyl transferase activity may be due to enzyme content and may have implications in brain cell function.