Direct demonstration of geranylgeranylation and farnesylation of Ki-Ras in vivo

J Biol Chem. 1997 May 30;272(22):14093-7. doi: 10.1074/jbc.272.22.14093.

Abstract

It has recently been reported that Ki-Ras protein can be modified in vitro by farnesylation or geranylgeranylation. However, a previous analysis of Ki-Ras prenylation in vivo found only farnesylated Ki-Ras. In this report it is shown that under normal conditions, Ki-Ras is farnesylated in vivo and when cells are treated with the farnesyl transferase inhibitors B956 or B957, farnesylation is inhibited and Ki-Ras becomes geranylgeranylated in a dose dependent manner. These results have strong implications in the design of anticancer drugs based on inhibition of prenylation.

MeSH terms

  • 3T3 Cells
  • Animals
  • Mice
  • Protein Prenylation*
  • ras Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • ras Proteins