Changes in fast axonally transported proteins in the regenerating rabbit vagus nerve

Regeneration was induced in rabbit vagus nerves by a crush injury. Fourteen and 50 days later [35S]methionine-radiolabelled, fast axonally transported proteins were separated by one- and two-dimensional electrophoresis. Quantitative densitometric analysis of fluorographs from one-dimensional separations showed increases in the radiolabelling of fast transported proteins of 45 and 20 kDa, and a decrease in the radiolabelling of a 26 kDa protein 14 days after crush injury, which were confirmed by two-dimensional separations. These increases were maintained at 50 days post-crush. The proteins have similar molecular weights and isoelectric points to two growth-associated proteins known to have important roles in growth and regeneration.