Transducing proteins. Yeast RAS and Tweedledee's logic

SRV2, a gene required for RAS activation of adenylate cyclase in yeast

We have identified a gene, SRV2, mutations of which alleviate stress sensitivity in strains carrying an activated RAS gene. Epistasis analysis suggests that the gene affects accumulation of cAMP in the cell. Direct assays of cAMP accumulation indicate that mutations of the gene diminish the rate of in vivo production of cAMP following stimulation by an activated RAS allele. Null mutations of srv2 result in lethality, which cannot be suppressed by mutational activation of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The sequence of the gene indicates that it encodes an adenylate cyclase-associated protein. These results demonstrate that SRV2 protein is required for RAS-activated adenylate cyclase activity, but that it participates in other essential cellular functions as well.

The evolutionary origin of eukaryotic transmembrane signal transduction

1. A comparison was made of transmembrane signal transduction mechanisms in different eukaryotes and prokaryotes. 2. Much attention was given to eukaryotic microbes and their signal transduction mechanisms, since these organisms are intermediate in complexity between animals, plants and bacteria. 3. Signal transduction mechanisms in eukaryotic microbes, however, do not appear to be intermediate between those in animals, plants and bacteria, but show features characteristic of the higher eukaryotes. 4. These similarities include the regulation of receptor function, adenylate cyclase activity, the presence of a phosphatidylinositol cycle and of GTP-binding regulatory proteins. 5. It is proposed that the signal transduction systems known to operate in present-day eukaryotes evolved in the earliest eukaryotic cells.

ras proteins enhance the phosphorylation of a 38 kDa protein (p38) in rat liver plasma membrane

Phosphorylation of a 38 kDa protein (p38) present in rat liver plasma membrane has been shown for the first time to be enhanced by ras proteins. This increase in phosphorylation is about 3-16-fold depending on the incubation time and the type of ras protein used. Acid treatment removes phosphate from this protein suggesting that the phosphorylation involves phosphoramidate derivatives of basic amino acids. Experiments carried out in the presence of diethylpyrocarbonate suggest that the phosphorylation occurs on (a) histidine residue(s). It is probable that the function of p38 in the cell is modulated by ras proteins through phosphorylation. The significance of phosphorylation of p38 in terms of malignant transformation is presently known.

p21 ras proteins and guanine nucleotides modulate the phosphorylation of 36- and 17-kilodalton mitochondria-associated proteins

We have found that, when isolated rat liver mitochondria are incubated with [gamma-32P]ATP, there is phosphorylation of 36- and 17-kDa proteins. These proteins together with their protein kinase(s) are released as a complex by incubation of the isolated rat liver mitochondria at 20 degrees C for 30 min with 10 mM glucose 6-phosphate, 0.5 mM inositol phosphate, or 0.01 mM inositol triphosphate. Phosphorylation of the 36- and 17-kDa proteins in this soluble protein fraction is modulated by p21 proteins encoded by ras oncogenes and synthesized in Escherichia coli via recombinant DNA methods. A normal p21 ras protein stimulates phosphorylation of the 36-kDa protein and inhibits phosphorylation of the 17-kDa protein, whereas two transforming p21 ras proteins inhibit phosphorylation of both the 36- and 17-kDa proteins. Although GDP and 5'-guanylyl imidodiphosphate also influence the phosphorylation of these proteins, we present evidence that the effects of p21 ras protein are not simply due to their bound GDP. This novel system may be useful for further studies on the biochemical functions of the p21 ras proteins.

Proteins encoded by ras oncogenes stimulate or inhibit phosphorylation of specific mitochondrial membrane proteins

We have examined the effects of a series of purified p21 proteins encoded by ras oncogenes and synthesized in E. coli via recombinant DNA methods, on the phosphorylation of proteins associated with isolated rat liver mitochondria. We find that these proteins markedly enhance the phosphorylation of a 36KD protein and inhibit phosphorylation of a 17KD protein. The phosphorylated residues on the 36KD protein are hydrolyzed by mild acid, suggesting that they involve phosphoamide bonds. These results suggest that p21 proteins may play a role in vivo by altering the phosphorylation of certain proteins.