ISOLATION OF A MOUSE CDNA-ENCODING RAB23, A SMALL NOVEL GTPASE EXPRESSED PREDOMINANTLY IN THE BRAIN

The full-length cDNA encoding Rab23, a novel Ras-related small GTPase, was isolated using the sequence of a previously described [Chavrier e t al., Gene 112 (1992) 261-264] short cDNA fragment and the rapid ampl ification of cDNA ends (RACE) PCR techniques. The deduced amino acid s equence was not very closely related to any previously described small GTPase, but was within the Rab subfamily. A Northern analysis reveale d that the rab23 mRNA is predominantly expressed in the brain, which p laces the protein, together with Rab3a and Rab15, in the group of smal l GTPases characteristic of the nervous system.