Postmicrosomal protein fractions from short-time-predegenerated rat sciatic nerve

The postmicrosomal protein fraction obtained from distal stumps of rat scia tic nerves at 0-6 days following transection were investigated by means of one- and two-dimensional electrophoresis. In all experimental groups, total amount of protein was significantly higher than in the control group. Prot eins were resolved into 27 bands after SDS-PAGE. Their molecular weights ra nged between 16.2 and 335.4 kDa. Eleven fractions displayed significant qua ntitative differences. After 2-D-electrophoresis, the pi of the proteins ra nged from 4.2 to 7.4. They were resolved to 28 molecular masses from 13.5 k Da to 335.4 kDa. The greatest numbers of fractions (90-109) were observed o n the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th day after nerve transection. Thus, during first 6 days after transection intensive changes in protein fraction content and composition take place in the distal stump of peripheral nerve. These proc esses seem to be most prominent on the 4th day after lesion. Results confir m our earlier in vivo findings.