Subcellular distribution of small GTP-binding proteins in the intestinal cell line Caco-2

The present study describes the subcellular distribution of low molecular weight GTP-binding proteins in the human carcinoma cell line Caco-2. Highly enriched subcellular fractions of basolateral and brush border membranes were prepared by differential density centrifugation and divalent cation precipitation. Small molecular weight GTP-binding proteins were identified after SDS-PAGE transfer to nitrocellulose using [alpha 32P]-labelled GTP. Smg-proteins with molecular masses of 28, 27, 25 and 24 kDa were detectable in all fractions. Homogenate and brush border membrane fraction showed specific binding of [alpha 32P] GTP to proteins of a molecular mass of 21 kDa, while in the membrane fractions (apical, basolateral) a high enrichment of 24 kDa smg-proteins was detectable. Western blot analysis identified one of the 21 kDa proteins of the brush border membrane as rhoA. The homogenate of 4, 8, 11 and 14 days old Caco-2 cells showed different [alpha 32P]-GTP binding to 21, 27 and 28 kDa proteins. In conclusion, this study is the first showing the presence and asymmetrical distribution of smg-proteins among the various membrane components in the human carcinoma cell line Caco-2.