c-Raf-1 RBD associates with a subset of active v-H-Ras

Biochemistry. 2000 Dec 19;39(50):15603-11. doi: 10.1021/bi001224x.

Abstract

Mutational analysis of the cRaf-1 Ras binding domain (RBD) identified several point mutants with elevated Ras binding. Detailed examination of the binding kinetics of one mutant (A85K) suggests that it associates with a greater range of isomeric conformers of v-H-Ras than wt-RBD. At limiting v-H-Ras concentrations, saturation binding to A85K-RBD is higher than to wt-RBD. Notably, in assay systems where the RBD concentration is limiting, no difference exists between wt-RBD and A85K-RBD saturation levels in the presence of a sufficiently large molar excess of Ras. The inability of wt-RBD to saturate all bindable Ras/GTP (defined by its binding to A85K-RBD) suggests that Ras/GTP exists as several isoforms and that only a minority of these isoforms are capable of associating with wt-RBD. These findings provide the first experimental evidence in support of functionally distinct Ras/GTP isoforms. We also describe a novel analysis of such isoforms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Binding Sites / genetics
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Conformation
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf / chemistry*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf / metabolism
  • ras Proteins / chemistry*
  • ras Proteins / genetics
  • ras Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf
  • ras Proteins