Molecular analyses of gene products associated with the response of cells to mitogenic stimulation.
We have completed the molecular analysis of a ribosomal protein S6 kinase identified in unfertilized Xenopus eggs. Although some of our results support the notion that an antigenically related enzyme is present in animal cells, we are uncertain if such an enzyme accounts for all of the mitogen-stimulated phosphorylation of 40S subunits. Other experiments have led to the identification of mRNAs that are rapidly expressed in mitogen-stimulated cells. The relevance of such genes and their products is in doubt, however, until a function can be demonstrated for each of them. Preliminary experiments with the pCEF-4 gene product described here have failed to show that it acts as a mitogen for cells in culture, for example. Thus, although studies such as these may lead to the identification of novel genes, we may need to search elsewhere for a physiologically significant function.
Erikson
R L
RL
Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138.
Alcorta
D
D
Bedard
P A
PA
Blenis
J
J
Biemann
H P
HP
Erikson
E
E
Jones
S W
SW
Maller
J L
JL
Martins
T J
TJ
Simmons
D L
DL
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005796:Genes; D008934:Mitogens; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015688:Oncogene Protein pp60(v-src); D010063:Ovum / Q000201:enzymology; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012191:Retroviridae Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D019893:Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases; D015290:Second Messenger Systems / Q000187:drug effects; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014981:Xenopus
D008934:Mitogens; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012191:Retroviridae Proteins; D011494:Protein Kinases; D015688:Oncogene Protein pp60(v-src); D019893:Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases