Differences on the inhibitory specificities of H-Ras, K-Ras, and N-Ras (N17) dominant negative mutants are related to their membrane microlocalization

J Biol Chem. 2003 Feb 14;278(7):4572-81. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M209807200. Epub 2002 Nov 27.

Abstract

Ras GTPases include the isoforms H-Ras, K-Ras, and N-Ras. Despite their great biochemical and biological similarities, evidence is mounting suggesting that Ras proteins may not be functionally redundant. A widespread strategy for studying small GTPases is the utilization of dominant inhibitory mutants that specifically block the activation of their respective wild-type proteins. As such, H-Ras N17 has proved to be extremely valuable as a tool to probe Ras functions. However, a comparative study on the inhibitory specificities of H-, K-, and N-Ras N17 mutants has not been approached thus far. Herein, we demonstrate that H-, K-, and N-Ras N17 mutants exhibit markedly distinct inhibitory effects toward H-, K-, and N-Ras. H-Ras N17 can effectively inhibit the activation of all three isoforms. K-Ras N17 completely blocks the activation of K-Ras and is only slightly inhibitory on H-Ras. N-Ras N17 can mainly inhibit N-Ras activation. In light of the recent data on the compartmentalization of H-Ras and K-Ras in the plasma membrane, here we present for the first time a description of N-Ras cellular microlocalization. Overall, our results on Ras N17 mutants specificities exhibit a marked correlation with the localization of the Ras isoforms to distinct membrane microdomains.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • 3T3 Cells
  • Animals
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Membrane* / metabolism
  • Cell Membrane* / ultrastructure
  • Dogs
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Isoenzymes / chemistry
  • Isoenzymes / genetics
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mutation
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary / genetics
  • ras Proteins* / chemistry
  • ras Proteins* / genetics
  • ras Proteins* / metabolism

Substances

  • Isoenzymes
  • ras Proteins