title: G protein beta gamma subunit activates Ras, Raf, and MAP kinase in HEK 293 cells.
abstract: Using transient transfection of HEK 293 cells, we have studied the activation of Ras, c-Raf, and MAP kinase by G protein-coupled receptors, activated G protein alpha subunit (G alpha), and beta gamma subunits (G beta gamma). The expression of constitutively activated Gs alpha, Gi alpha, and G11 alpha did not have any effect on MAP kinase phosphorylation. In contrast, overexpression of G beta gamma could stimulate the phosphorylation of MAP kinase and enhance the MEK kinase activity of c-Raf. Coexpression of dominant negative Ras inhibited G beta gamma-induced phosphorylation of MAP kinase. Furthermore, the GTP-bound form of Ras was increased by overexpression of G beta gamma. These results strongly suggest that the G beta gamma may play an important role in signaling from G protein-coupled receptors to the MAP kinase pathway, and the activation of Ras and c-Raf may be involved in this signaling cascade in HEK 293 cells.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Satoh
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kaziro
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Itoh
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006160:Guanosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D019908:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf; D018631:ras Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D006160:Guanosine Triphosphate; D011494:Protein Kinases; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D019908:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D018631:ras Proteins