title: Two distinct Raf domains mediate interaction with Ras.
abstract: A key event for Ras transformation involves the direct physical association between Ras and the Raf-1 kinase. This interaction promotes both Raf translocation to the plasma membrane and activation of Raf kinase activity. Although substantial experimental evidence has demonstrated that Raf residues 51-131 alone are sufficient for Ras binding, conflicting observations have suggested that the Raf cysteine-rich domain (residues 139-184) may also be important for interaction with Ras. To clarify the role of the Raf cysteine-rich domain in Ras-Raf binding, we have compared the ability of two distinct Raf fragments to interact with Ras using both in vitro Ras binding and in vivo Ras inhibition assays. First, we determined that both Raf sequences 2-140 and 139-186 (designated Raf-Cys) showed preferential binding to active, GTP-bound Ras in vitro. Second, we observed that Raf-Cys antagonized oncogenic Ras(Q61L)-mediated transactivation of Ras-responsive elements and focus-forming activity in NIH 3T3 cells and insulin-induced germinal vesicle breakdown in Xenopus laevis oocytes in vivo. This inhibitory activity suggests that Raf-Cys can interact with Ras in vivo. Taken together, these results suggest that Ras interaction with two distinct domains of Raf-1 may be important in Ras-mediated activation of Raf kinase activity.
authors.affiliation: Cirruculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599, USA.
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Brtva
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Drugan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Terrell
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Campbell-Burk
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Der
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D002384:Catalysis; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D003545:Cysteine / Q000378:metabolism; D006160:Guanosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D011485:Protein Binding; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D019908:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014982:Xenopus laevis; D018631:ras Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D006160:Guanosine Triphosphate; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D019908:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf; D018631:ras Proteins; D003545:Cysteine