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Biomedical subjects

M S Marshall

Publications and source records attributed to M S Marshall.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

CDC43 and RAM2 encode the polypeptide subunits of a yeast type I protein geranylgeranyltransferase.

The question regarding the identity of the alpha and beta subunits of the yeast type I protein geranylgeranyltransferase was explored using prokaryotic expression of candidate genes. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae CDC43 and RAM2 genes were expressed in Escherichia coli and cell extracts examined for the ability to transfer [3H]geranylgeranyl diphosphate to an appropriate CaaX protein substrate. Individual expression of each gene yielded no activity; however, co-expression of the two genes resulted in high levels of [3H] geranylgeranyl incorporation into the substrate protein Ras-Cys-Val-Val-Leu. The activity was partially purified yielding approximately 12,600 units/liter. The partially purified enzyme geranylgeranylated the Ras-Cys-Val-Val-Leu, Ras-Cys-Ala-Ile-Leu, Ras-Cys-Ile-Ile-Leu, and Ras-Cys-Thr-Ile-Leu substrates but not the Ras-Cys-Val-Leu-Ser or Ras-Ser-Val-Leu-Ser substrates. The protein geranylgeranyltransferase was highly specific for geranylgeranyl diphosphate and poorly transferred farnesyl. The recombinant enzyme was indistinguishable from the native type I geranylgeranyltransferase in yeast extracts. As has been reported for the protein farnesyltransferase, the yeast type I protein geranylgeranyltransferase is also a magnesium-requiring, zinc metalloenzyme. Interestingly, the recombinant enzyme functioned with calcium as the only divalent cation, although addition of zinc increased calcium-dependent activity 2-fold.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases

Reconstitution of interactions between the Src tyrosine kinases and Ras GTPase-activating protein using a baculovirus expression system.

Ras GTPase-activating protein (GAP) has been implicated in mitogenic signal transduction downstream of oncogenic and receptor tyrosine kinases. Previous studies have suggested that GAP is phosphorylated by oncogenic viral Src (v-Src) and that GAP is associated with a complex containing normal cellular Src (c-Src) in vertebrate fibroblasts. To investigate molecular interactions between the Src kinases and GAP, we developed an in vitro system for reconstituting Src-GAP complexes. For this purpose, we constructed recombinant baculovirus vectors that direct expression of Rous sarcoma virus v-Src, chicken c-Src, and bovine GAP in infected Sf9 insect cells. In vitro reconstitution experiments using baculovirus-expressed proteins demonstrate that both v-Src and c-Src associate in complexes with GAP. In addition, in vitro and in vivo phosphorylation analyses indicate that GAP serves as a substrate for both the v-Src and c-Src tyrosine kinases. To determine which structural features of GAP are involved in interactions with the Src kinases, we constructed recombinant baculoviruses that encode deletion mutants of bovine GAP. Deletion of the GAP amino-terminal portion containing Src homology 2 regions, which are highly conserved structural motifs postulated to mediate interactions among proteins, diminishes GAP phosphorylation and association with Src. This reconstitution system should facilitate further studies of molecular interactions between the Src kinases and GAP.

Baculoviridae

Sequence dependence of protein isoprenylation.

Several proteins have been shown to be post-translationally modified on a specific C-terminal cysteine residue by either of two isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway metabolites, farnesyl diphosphate or geranylgeranyl diphosphate. Three enzymes responsible for protein isoprenylation were resolved chromatographically from the cytosolic fraction of bovine brain: a farnesyl-protein transferase (FTase), which modified the cell-transforming Ras protein, and two geranyl-geranyl-protein transferases, one (GGTase-I) which modified a chimeric Ras having the C-terminal amino acid sequence of the gamma-6 subunit of heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins, and the other (GGTase-II) which modified the Saccharomyces cerevisiae secretory GTPase protein YPT1. In a S. cerevisiae strain lacking FTase activity (ram1), both GGTases were detected at wild-type levels. In a ram2 S. cerevisiae strain devoid of FTase activity, GGTase-I activity was reduced by 67%, suggesting that GGTase-I and FTase activities derive from different enzymes but may share a common genetic feature. For the FTase and the GGTase-I activities, the C-terminal amino acid sequence of the protein substrate, the CAAX box, appeared to contain all the critical determinants for interaction with the transferase. In fact, tetrapeptides with amino acid sequences identical to the C-terminal sequences of the protein substrates for FTase or GGTase-I competed for protein isoprenylation by acting as alternative substrates. Changes in the CAAX amino acid sequence of protein substrates markedly altered their ability to serve as substrates for both FTase and GGTase-I. In addition, it appeared that FTase and GGTase-I had complementary affinities for CAAX protein substrates; that is, CAAX proteins that were good substrates for FTase were, in general, poor substrates for GGTase-I, and vice versa. In particular, a leucine residue at the C terminus influenced whether a CAAX protein was either farnesylated or geranylgeranylated preferentially. The YPT1 C terminus peptide, TGGGCC, did not compete or serve as a substrate for GGTase-II, indicating that the interaction between GGTase-II and YPT1 appeared to depend on more than the 6 C-terminal residues of the protein substrate sequence. These results identify three different isoprenyl-protein transferases that are each selective for their isoprenoid and protein substrates.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases

Preferential inhibition of the oncogenic form of RasH by mutations in the GAP binding/"effector" domain.

The double mutation, D33H/P34S, reduced the transforming activity of oncogenic RasH proteins, G12V and Q61L, 400- and 20-fold, respectively. Remarkably, this same mutation did not reduce the transforming activity of normal RasH, nor did it impair the ability of the protein to restore a functional Ras pathway in cells whose endogenous Ras proteins were inhibited. Another mutation in this region, D38N, had similar effects. The mutations reduced downstream coupling efficiency of normal Ras as assessed by yeast adenylyl cyclase stimulation. However, this was offset by decreased GTPase activating protein (GAP) binding, since the latter resulted in elevated GTP-bound mutant Ras in cells. The mutations produced a similar decrease in downstream coupling efficiency of oncogenic Ras, but decreased GAP binding did not compensate because the GTPase activity of oncogenic Ras is not stimulated by GAP. These results imply that preferential inactivation of oncogenic Ras in human tumors may be achieved by reagents designed to inhibit the GAP-binding/"effector" domain of Ras proteins.

Animals

Role of GTPase activating protein in mitogenic signalling through phosphatidylcholine-hydrolysing phospholipase C.

Recent evidence has accumulated showing that activation of PLC-catalysed hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine (PC-PLC) is a critical step in mitogenic signal transduction both in fibroblasts and in oocytes from Xenopus laevis. The products of ras genes activate PC-PLC, bind guanine nucleotides, have intrinsic GTPase activity, and are regulated by a GTPase-activating protein (GAP). It has been suggested that, in addition to its regulatory properties, GAP may also be necessary for ras function as a downstream effector molecule. In this study, evidence is presented that strongly suggests that the functional interaction between ras p21 and GAP is sufficient and necessary for activation of maturation promoting factor (MPF) H1-kinase activity in oocytes, and that PC hydrolysis is critically involved in this mechanism. Therefore, we identify GAP as a further step required for signalling through PC-PLC, and necessary for the control of oocyte maturation in response to ras p21/insulin but not to progesterone.

Animals

Identification of amino acid residues required for Ras p21 target activation.

The Krev-1 gene has been shown to suppress ras-mediated transformation in vitro. Both ras and Krev-1 proteins have identical effector domains (ras residues 32 to 40), which are required for biological activity and for the interaction of Ras p21 with Ras GTPase-activating protein (GAP). In this study, five amino acid residues flanking the ras effector domain, which are not conserved with the Krev-1 protein, were shown to be required for normal protein-protein interactions and biological activity. The substitution of Krev-1 p21 residues 26, 27, 30, 31, and 45 with the corresponding amino acid residues from Ras p21 resulted in a Krev-1 protein which had ras function in both mammalian and yeast biological assays. Replacement of these residues in Ras p21 with the corresponding Krev-1 p21 amino acids resulted in ras proteins which were impaired biologically or reduced in their affinity for in vitro GAP binding. Evaluation of these mutant ras proteins have implications for Ras p21-GAP interactions in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence

Modulation of guanine nucleotides bound to Ras in NIH3T3 cells by oncogenes, growth factors, and the GTPase activating protein (GAP).

The mitogenic activity of membrane-associated tyrosine kinases such as Src and the PDGF receptor appear to depend on Ras function. Ras biochemical activity involves regulation of a GTP/GDP cycle and the GTPase activating protein (GAP). Recently, PDGF and v-Src have been shown to stimulate tyrosine phosphorylation of GAP, linking these pathways at the biochemical level. To test whether PDGF and v-Src affect the Ras GTP/GDP cycle, we have measured the guanine nucleotides complexed to Ras in NIH3T3 cells and compared the ratio of GTP to total GTP + GDP detected (percent GTP). In normal quiescent NIH3T3 cells, PDGF stimulated the basal amount of GTP complexed to Ras (7%) by 2.1-fold to 15%. The effect was dependent on PDGF concentration and was observed maximally within 10 min following PDGF challenge. Ras was complexed to 22% GTP in NIH3T3 cells transformed by v-src or v-abl. Overexpression of GAP by 110-fold in NIH3T3 cells reduced the basal level of GTP complexed to Ras to 2.4%; upon challenge with PDGF, Ras was complexed to 6.6% GTP. These results indicate that PDGF receptor activation and tyrosine kinase-encoding oncogene products can stimulate Ras into the GTP complex and that GAP in intact mammalian cells can decrease the amount of GTP complexed to Ras.

Animals

Polyisoprenylation of Ras in vitro by a farnesyl-protein transferase.

Farnesylation of Ras occurs in vivo on a Cys residue in the C-terminal sequence -Cys-Val-Leu-Ser (termed a CAAX box). This modification is required for Ras membrane localization and cell transforming activity. Using [3H]farnesyl-PPi as precursor and Escherichia coli-expressed Ras, forms of Ras having the CAAX sequence were radiolabeled upon incubation with the cytosolic fraction of bovine brain. Forms of Ras having a deletion of the CAAX sequence or a Cys to Ser substitution in this sequence were not substrates. Radioactivity incorporated into Ras by bovine brain cytosol was released by treatment with iodomethane but not with methanolic KOH indicating a thioether linkage. High pressure liquid chromatography analysis of the cleavage products on a C-18 column showed a major peak of radioactivity that co-eluted with a farnesol standard. The enzyme responsible for Ras farnesylation in bovine brain was approximately 190 kDa as estimated by gel filtration and required a divalent cation for activity. Nonradioactive farnesyl-PPi, geranylgeranyl-PPi, and Ras peptides having the C-terminal sequence -Cys-Val-Leu-Ser competed in the assay with IC50 values of 0.7, 1.4, and 1-3 microM, respectively. Farnesol and Ras peptides having the sequence -Ser-Val-Leu-Ser were not inhibitory. These results identify a farnesyl-protein transferase activity that may be responsible for the polyisoprenylation of Ras in intact cells.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases

S. cerevisiae genes IRA1 and IRA2 encode proteins that may be functionally equivalent to mammalian ras GTPase activating protein.

The IRA1 and IRA2 genes of S. cerevisiae encode closely related proteins that also share homology with mammalian GAP (ras GTPase activating protein). The RAS1 and RAS2 proteins overexpressed in ira mutants accumulated in the GTP-bound form, whereas in the wild-type strain the proteins were found mostly in the GDP-bound form, indicating that IRA1 and IRA2 negatively regulate the level of RAS-GTP. In contrast, the RAS2Val-19 or RAS2Thr-66 mutant protein was bound to GTP in high amounts irrespective of the IRA genotype. Overexpression of bovine GAP suppressed the phenotypes of ira mutants by reducing the level of RAS-GTP, suggesting that IRA proteins may be functionally analogous to mammalian GAP.

Animals

PDGF induction of tyrosine phosphorylation of GTPase activating protein.

The cascade of biochemical events triggered by growth factors and their receptors is central to understanding normal cell-growth regulation and its subversion in cancer. Ras proteins (p21ras) have been implicated in signal transduction pathways used by several growth factors, including platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). These guanine nucleotide-binding Ras proteins specifically interact with a cellular GTPase-activating protein (GAP). Here we report that in intact quiescent fibroblasts, both AA and BB homodimers of PDGF rapidly induce tyrosine phosphorylation of GAP under conditions in which insulin and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) are ineffective. Although GAP is located predominantly in the cytosol, most tyrosine-phosphorylated GAP is associated with the cell membrane, the site of p21ras biological activity. These results provide a direct biochemical link between activated PDGF-receptor tyrosine kinases and the p21ras-GAP mitogenic signalling system.

Cell Line

A C-terminal domain of GAP is sufficient to stimulate ras p21 GTPase activity.

The cDNA for bovine ras p21 GTPase activating protein (GAP) has been cloned and the 1044 amino acid polypeptide encoded by the clone has been shown to bind the GTP complexes of both normal and oncogenic Harvey (Ha) ras p21. To identify the regions of GAP critical for the catalytic stimulation of ras p21 GTPase activity, a series of truncated forms of GAP protein were expressed in Escherichia coli. The C-terminal 343 amino acids of GAP (residues 702-1044) were observed to bind Ha ras p21-GTP and stimulate Ha ras p21 GTPase activity with the same efficiency (kcat/KM congruent to 1 x 10(6) M-1 s-1 at 24 degrees C) as GAP purified from bovine brain or full-length GAP expressed in E. coli. Deletion of the final 61 amino acid residues of GAP (residues 986-1044) rendered the protein insoluble upon expression in E. coli. These results define a distinct catalytic domain at the C terminus of GAP. In addition, GAP contains amino acid similarity with the B and C box domains conserved among phospholipase C-II, the crk oncogene product, and the non-receptor tyrosine kinase oncogene products. This homologous region is located in the N-terminal half of GAP outside of the catalytic domain that stimulates ras p21 GTPase activity and may constitute a distinct structural or functional domain within the GAP protein.

Animals

Genetic analysis of the molecular basis for beta-adrenergic receptor subtype specificity.

Pharmacological analysis of ligand binding to the beta-adrenergic receptor (beta AR) has revealed the existence of two distinct receptor subtypes (beta 1 and beta 2) which are the products of different genes. The predicted amino acid sequences of the beta 1 and beta 2 receptors differ by 48%. To identify the regions of the proteins responsible for determining receptor subtype, chimeras were constructed from domains of the human beta 1 and hamster beta 2 receptors. Analysis of the ligand-binding characteristics of these hybrid receptors revealed that residues in the middle portion of the beta AR sequence, particularly around transmembrane regions 4 and 5, contribute to the subtype specific binding of agonists. Smaller molecular replacements of regions of the hamster beta 2 AR with the analogous regions from the avian beta 1 AR, however, failed to identify any single residue substitution capable of altering the subtype specificity of the receptor. These data indicate that, whereas sequences around transmembrane regions 4 and 5 may contribute to conformations which influence the ligand-binding properties of the receptor, the subtype-specific differences in amine-substituted agonist binding cannot be attributed to a single molecular interaction between the ligand and any amino acid residue which is divergent between the beta 1 and beta 2 receptors.

Amino Acid Sequence

Ras interaction with the GTPase-activating protein (GAP).

Biologically active forms of Ras complexed to GTP can bind to the GTPase-activating protein (GAP), which has been implicated as possible target of Ras in mammalian cells. In order to study the structural features of Ras required for this interaction, we have evaluated a series of mutant ras proteins for the ability to bind GAP and a series of Ras peptides for the ability to interfere with this interaction. Point mutations in the putative effector region of Ras (residues 32-40) that inhibit biological activity also impair Ras binding to GAP. An apparent exception is the Thr to Ser substitution at residue 35; [Ser-35]Ras binds to GAP as effectively as wild-type Ras even though this mutant is biologically weak in both mammalian and S. cerevisiae cells. In vitro, [Ser-35]Ras can also efficiently stimulate the S. cerevisiae target of Ras, adenylyl cyclase, indicating that other factors may influence Ras/protein interactions in vivo. Peptides having Ras residues 17-44 and 17-32 competed with the binding of Ras to E. coli-expressed GAP with IC50 values of 2.4 and 0.9 microM, respectively, whereas Ras peptide 17-26 was without effect up to 400 microM. A related peptide from the yeast GTP-binding protein YPT1 analogous to Ras peptide 17-32 competed with an IC50 value of 19 microM even though the YPT1 protein itself is unable to bind to GAP. These results suggest that determinants within Ras peptide 17-32 may be important for Ras binding to GAP.

Adenylyl Cyclases

The ras oncogene--an important regulatory element in lower eucaryotic organisms.

The ras proto-oncogene in mammalian cells encodes a 21-kilodalton guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding protein. This gene is frequently activated in human cancer. As one approach toward understanding the mechanisms of cellular transformation by ras, the function of this gene in lower eucaryotic organisms has been studied. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the RAS gene products serve as essential function by regulating cyclic adenosine monophosphate metabolism. Stimulation of adenylyl cyclase is dependent not only on RAS protein complexed to GTP, but also on the CDC25 and IRA gene products, which appear to control the RAS GTP-guanosine diphosphate cycle. Although analysis of RAS biochemistry in S. cerevisiae has identified mechanisms central to RAS action, RAS regulation of adenylyl cyclase appears to be strictly limited to this particular organism. In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Dictyostelium discoideum, and Drosophila melanogaster, ras-encoded proteins are not involved with regulation of adenylyl cyclase, similar to what is observed in mammalian cells. However, the ras gene product in these other lower eucaryotes is clearly required for appropriate responses to extracellular signals such as mating factors and chemoattractants and for normal growth and development of the organism. The identification of other GTP-binding proteins in S. cerevisiae with distinct yet essential functions underscores the fundamental importance of G-protein regulatory processes in normal cell physiology.

Adenylyl Cyclases

Cloning of bovine GAP and its interaction with oncogenic ras p21.

The plasma membrane-bound mammalian ras proteins of relative molecular mass 21,000 (ras p21) share biochemical and structural properties with other guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins (G-proteins). Oncogenic ras p21 variants result from amino acid substitutions at specific positions that cause p21 to occur predominantly complexed to GTP in vivo. Recently, a GTPase activating protein (GAP) with cytosolic activity has been discovered that stimulates the GTPase activity of normal but not of oncogenic ras p21. GAP might be either a negative regulatory agent which acts further upstream in the regulatory pathway or the downstream target of ras p21. We have identified a protein from bovine brain with apparent relative molecular mass 125,000 that has GAP activity. Here, using pure GAP in a kinetic competition assay, we show that GAP interacts preferentially with the active GTP complexes of both normal and oncogenic Harvey (Ha) ras p21 compared with the inactive GDP complexes. We also report the cloning and sequencing of the complementary DNA for bovine GAP. Regions of GAP share amino acid similarity with the noncatalytic domain of adenylate cyclase from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and with regions conserved between phospholipase C-148, the crk oncogene product and the nonreceptor tyrosine kinases.

Amino Acid Sequence

An adenylate cyclase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae that is stimulated by RAS proteins with effector mutations.

Conservative amino acid substitutions were introduced into the proposed effector regions of both mammalian Ha-ras (residues 32 to 40) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae RAS2 (residues 39 to 47) proteins. The RAS2[Ser 42] protein had reduced biological function in the yeast S. cerevisiae. A S. cerevisiae strain with a second-site suppressor mutation, SSR2-1, was isolated which could grow on nonfermentable carbon sources when the endogenous RAS2 protein was replaced by the RAS2[Ser 42] protein. The SSR2-1 mutation was mapped to the structural gene for adenylate cyclase (CYR1), and the gene containing SSR2-1 was cloned and sequenced. SSR2-1 corresponded to a point mutation that would create an amino acid substitution of a tyrosine residue for an aspartate residue at position 1547. The SSR2-1 gene encodes an adenylate cyclase that is dependent on ras proteins for activity, but is stimulated by Ha-ras and RAS2 mutant proteins that are unable to stimulate wild-type adenylate cyclase.

Adenylyl Cyclases