Postprenylation CAAX processing is required for proper localization of Ras but not Rho GTPases.
The CAAX motif at the C terminus of most monomeric GTPases is required for membrane targeting because it signals for a series of three posttranslational modifications that include isoprenylation, endoproteolytic release of the C-terminal- AAX amino acids, and carboxyl methylation of the newly exposed isoprenylcysteine. The individual contributions of these modifications to protein trafficking and function are unknown. To address this issue, we performed a series of experiments with mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) lacking Rce1 (responsible for removal of the -AAX sequence) or Icmt (responsible for carboxyl methylation of the isoprenylcysteine). In MEFs lacking Rce1 or Icmt, farnesylated Ras proteins were mislocalized. In contrast, the intracellular localizations of geranylgeranylated Rho GTPases were not perturbed. Consistent with the latter finding, RhoGDI binding and actin remodeling were normal in Rce1- and Icmt-deficient cells. Swapping geranylgeranylation for farnesylation on Ras proteins or vice versa on Rho proteins reversed the differential sensitivities to Rce1 and Icmt deficiency. These results suggest that postprenylation CAAX processing is required for proper localization of farnesylated Ras but not geranygeranylated Rho proteins.
Michaelson
David
D
Department of Medicine, Cell Biology, and Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, NY 10016, USA.
Ali
Wasif
W
Chiu
Vi K
VK
Bergo
Martin
M
Silletti
Joseph
J
Wright
Latasha
L
Young
Stephen G
SG
Philips
Mark
M
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts; D016023:Integrins / Q000378:metabolism; D008745:Methylation; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D011485:Protein Binding; D017368:Protein Prenylation / Q000187:drug effects; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D020764:cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D020725:ral GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018631:ras Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D000199:Actins; D016023:Integrins; D010450:Endopeptidases; C491324:Rce1 protein, mouse; C118120:Rala protein, mouse; D020764:cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein; D020725:ral GTP-Binding Proteins; D018631:ras Proteins; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins