[Cloning and expression of cDNA for tobacco rab1, and structural-functional analysis of the protein]

rab1 cDNA coding for a small GTP binding protein Rab1 was isolated from cDNA library of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) leaves. The primary structure of this protein was deduced from the rab1 structure. Tobacco rab1 cDNA was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the product was purified and shown to exhibit GTPase activity. A set of Rab1 mutants with altered GTP binding and/or GTPase activities was obtained. Polyclonal antipeptide antibodies were raised against a sequence in the C-terminal region of the tobacco Rab1 capable of recognizing this protein.