An abundant zebrafish cDNA clone encodes a ras-like protein which is expressed ubiquitously

An abundant clone from a zebrafish embryonic cDNA library was identified and sequenced. It encodes a ras-like protein, being 94-95% identical to vertebrate Ran, ras-related nuclear protein. The zebrafish Ran mRNA is expressed in all tissues examined and throughout embryogenesis; therefore, it is likely that the Ran protein functions in all types of cells.