Fine-tuning the RAS signaling pathway: Zn(2+) makes the difference.
In the May, 2002 issue of Developmental Cell, Bruinsma et al. report that the CDF-1 cation diffusion facilitator protein is required for efficient Ras-mediated signaling in C. elegans. CDF-1 reduces intracellular Zn(2+) levels, indicating an inhibitory effect of Zn(2+) on the Ras pathway.
Hajnal
Alex
A
Zoologisches Institut, Universität Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland.
D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D011905:Genes, ras / Q000502:physiology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D015032:Zinc / Q000502:physiology*
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C456542:cdf-1 protein, C elegans; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; D015032:Zinc