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Axonal behavior during the formation of the neuronal network of the nervous system has been shown to be under environmental control. Hence, as a first step in a project aiming to elucidate the molecular basis of axonal functions, we have identified axonal proteins whose synthesis is subject to environmentally induced changes. Neurons from chicken embryonic dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were grown in a compartmental cell culture system that allows selective examination of axonal proteins. Non‐neuronal cells of the peripheral or central nervous system were co‐cultured with the DRG axons. The axonal proteins expressed under these different environmental conditions were examined by metabolic labeling and two‐dimensional SDS‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Computerized quantification revealed that 12 out of 400 axonal proteins responded to changes in the local axonal environment by a change in their relative abundance. Some proteins changed in response to both types of co‐cultures whereas some changed specifically under the influence of either peripheral or central non‐neuronal cells.

Institutes OfSearch strategies for finding spot differences among multiple two-dimensional (2-D) polyacrylamide electrophoresis gels are discussed in the context of the GELLAB spot data base management system. A 2-D gel experiment should have a well-defined biological experimental and preparation protocol reflecting the hypotheses of the problem. So too should the analysis of its corresponding 2-D gel computer spot data base have a protocol. This protocol is heavily influenced by the nature of the biological experiment as well as 2-D gel preparation considerations including the realities of artifactual and systematic noise. It is further influenced by constraints due to computational considerations. The search strategy is that part of the analysis protocol in which an experimenter iteratively defines tests to find significant spot differences. One goal of designing a well thought out search protocol is to reduce the number of search iterations required. Aspects of some requirements and constraints for useful search strategies are discussed.