Changes in expression and localization of smg p25A, a ras p21-like small GTP-binding protein, in developing rat brain were analyzed in comparison with those of synaptophysin, a well-known synaptic vesicle-specific protein. The smg 25A mRNA was detected in whole brain of rat fetus at 14 days of gestation and its level was increased along with the age and reached the maximum level at postnatal day (P) 20. In postnatal cerebellum, the smg25A mRNA level was also increased age-dependently and the maximum level was observed at P30. Immunoblot analysis with an anti-smg p25A monoclonal antibody (MAb SG-11-7) and an anti-synaptophysin monoclonal antibody (SY 38) showed that expression of both smg p25A and synaptophysin was increased age-dependently in postnatal rat cerebellum. By immunofluorescent cytochemical study with the anti-smg p25A antibody, bright fluorescence was observed in the molecular layer of cerebellum and it was increased in accordance with the cerebellar development. In early postnatal cerebellum, the perikarya of Purkinje cells and the white matter were brightly stained with the antibody, but the fluorescence of these portions was faint in adult cerebellum. The anti-synaptophysin monoclonal antibody also stained the molecular layer of cerebellum but the perikarya of Purkinje cells and the white matter had only a weak immunoreactivity with the antibody irrespective of the age. These results indicate that smg p25A is predominantly present in the nerve terminals and that its amount is increased along with the development of postnatal rat cerebellum. Our results also suggest that smg p25A and synaptophysin have the different kinetics of synthesis, transport, and/or turnover in developing rat cerebellum.