Requirement of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ras for completion of mitosis.

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Ras regulates adenylate cyclase, which is essential for progression through the G1 phase of the cell cycle. However, even when the adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) pathway was bypassed, the double disruption of RAS1 and RAS2 resulted in defects in growth at both low and high temperatures. Furthermore, the simultaneous disruption of RAS1, RAS2, and the RAS-related gene RSR1 was lethal at any temperature. The triple-disrupted cells were arrested late in the mitotic (M) phase, which was accompanied by an accumulation of cells with divided chromosomes and sustained histone H1 kinase activity. The lethality of the triple disruption was suppressed by the multicopies of CDC5, CDC15, DBF2, SPO12, and TEM1, all of which function in the completion of the M phase. Mammalian ras also suppressed the lethality, which suggests that a similar signaling pathway exists in higher eukaryotes. These results demonstrate that S. cerevisiae Ras functions in the completion of the M phase in a manner independent of the Ras-cAMP pathway.

Regulation of myosin phosphatase by Rho and Rho-associated kinase (Rho-kinase)

The small guanosine triphosphatase Rho is implicated in myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation, which results in contraction of smooth muscle and interaction of actin and myosin in nonmuscle cells. The guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-bound, active form of RhoA (GTP.RhoA) specifically interacted with the myosin-binding subunit (MBS) of myosin phosphatase, which regulates the extent of phosphorylation of MLC. Rho-associated kinase (Rho-kinase), which is activated by GTP.RhoA, phosphorylated MBS and consequently inactivated myosin phosphatase. Overexpression of RhoA or activated RhoA in NIH 3T3 cells increased phosphorylation of MBS and MLC. Thus, Rho appears to inhibit myosin phosphatase through the action of Rho-kinase.

Combinatorial roles of olig2 and neurogenin2 in the coordinated induction of pan-neuronal and subtype-specific properties of motoneurons.

Distinct classes of neurons are generated at defined times and positions during development of the nervous system. It remains elusive how specification of neuronal identity coordinates with acquisition of pan-neuronal properties. Here we show that basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors Olig2 and Neurogenin2 (Ngn2) play vital roles in the coordinated induction of pan-neuronal and subtype-specific properties of motoneurons. Olig2 and Ngn2 are specifically coexpressed in motoneuron progenitors. Misexpression studies in chick demonstrate the specific, combinatorial actions of Olig2 and Ngn2 in motoneuron generation. Our results further revealed crossregulatory interactions between bHLH and homeodomain transcription factors in the specification of motoneurons. We suggest that distinct classes of transcription factors collaborate to generate motoneurons in the ventral neural tube.

Mouse suppressor of fused is a negative regulator of sonic hedgehog signaling and alters the subcellular distribution of Gli1.

The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway has critical functions during embryogenesis of both invertebrate and vertebrate species [1]; defects in this pathway in humans can cause developmental disorders as well as neoplasia [2]. Although the Gli1, Gli2, and Gli3 zinc finger proteins are known to be effectors of Hh signaling in vertebrates, the mechanisms regulating activity of these transcription factors remain poorly understood [3] [4]. In Drosophila, activity of the Gli homolog Cubitus interruptus (Ci) is likely to be modulated by its interaction with a cytoplasmic complex containing several other proteins [5] [6], including Costal2, Fused (Fu), and Suppressor of fused (Su(fu)), the last of which has been shown to interact directly with Ci [7]. We have cloned mouse Suppressor of fused (mSu(fu)) and detected its 4.5 kb transcript throughout embryogenesis and in several adult tissues. In cultured cells, mSu(fu) overexpression inhibited transcriptional activation mediated by Sonic hedgehog (Shh), Gli1 and Gli2. Co-immunoprecipitation of epitope-tagged proteins indicated that mSu(fu) interacts with Gli1, Gli2, and Gli3, and that the inhibitory effects of mSu(fu) on Gli1's transcriptional activity were mediated through interactions with both amino- and carboxy-terminal regions of Gli1. Gli1 was localized primarily to the nucleus of both HeLa cells and the Shh-responsive cell line MNS-70; co-expression with mSu(fu) resulted in a striking increase in cytoplasmic Gli1 immunostaining. Our findings indicate that mSu(fu) can function as a negative regulator of Shh signaling and suggest that this effect is mediated by interaction with Gli transcription factors.

IRA2, a second gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae that encodes a protein with a domain homologous to mammalian ras GTPase-activating protein.

The IRA1 gene is a negative regulator of the RAS-cyclic AMP pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To identify other genes involved in this pathway, we screened yeast genomic DNA libraries for genes that can suppress the heat shock sensitivity of the ira1 mutation on a multicopy vector. We identified IRA2, encoding a protein of 3,079 amino acids, that is 45% identical to the IRA1 protein. The region homologous between the IRA1 protein and ras GTPase-activating protein is also conserved in IRA2. IRA2 maps 11 centimorgans distal to the arg1 locus on the left arm of chromosome XV and was found to be allelic to glc4. Disruption of the IRA2 gene resulted in (i) increased sensitivity to heat shock and nitrogen starvation, (ii) sporulation defects, and (iii) suppression of the lethality of the cdc25 mutant. Analysis of disruption mutants of IRA1 and IRA2 indicated that IRA1 and IRA2 proteins additively regulate the RAS-cyclic AMP pathway in a negative fashion. Expression of the IRA2 domain homologous with GAP is sufficient for complementation of the heat shock sensitivity of ira2, suggesting that IRA down regulates RAS activity by stimulating the GTPase activity of RAS proteins.

The neural RNA-binding protein Musashi1 translationally regulates mammalian numb gene expression by interacting with its mRNA.

Musashi1 (Msi1) is an RNA-binding protein that is highly expressed in neural progenitor cells, including neural stem cells. In this study, the RNA-binding sequences for Msi1 were determined by in vitro selection using a pool of degenerate 50-mer sequences. All of the selected RNA species contained repeats of (G/A)U(n)AGU (n = 1 to 3) sequences which were essential for Msi1 binding. These consensus elements were identified in some neural mRNAs. One of these, mammalian numb (m-numb), which encodes a membrane-associated antagonist of Notch signaling, is a likely target of Msi1. Msi1 protein binds in vitro-transcribed m-numb RNA in its 3'-untranslated region (UTR) and binds endogenous m-numb mRNA in vivo, as shown by affinity precipitation followed by reverse transcription-PCR. Furthermore, adenovirus-induced Msi1 expression resulted in the down-regulation of endogenous m-Numb protein expression. Reporter assays using a chimeric mRNA that combined luciferase and the 3'-UTR of m-numb demonstrated that Msi1 decreased the reporter activity without altering the reporter mRNA level. Thus, our results suggested that Msi1 could regulate the expression of its target gene at the translational level. Furthermore, we found that Notch signaling activity was increased by Msi1 expression in connection with the posttranscriptional down-regulation of the m-numb gene.

Transcription factor expression and Notch-dependent regulation of neural progenitors in the adult rat spinal cord.

Recent studies have demonstrated that neural stem cells and other progenitors are present in the adult CNS. Details of their properties, however, remain poorly understood. Here we examined the properties and control mechanisms of neural progenitors in the adult rat spinal cord at the molecular level. Adult and embryonic progenitors commonly expressed various homeodomain-type (Pax6, Pax7, Nkx2.2, and Prox1) and basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH)-type (Ngn2, Mash1, NeuroD1, and Olig2) transcriptional regulatory factors in vitro. Unlike their embryonic counterparts, however, adult progenitors could not generate specific neurons that expressed markers appropriate for spinal motoneurons or interneurons, including Islet1, Lim1, Lim3, and HB9. Cells expressing the homeodomain factors Pax6, Pax7, and Nkx2.2 also emerged in vivo in response to injury and were distributed in unique patterns in the lesioned spinal cord. However, neither the expression of the neurogenic bHLH factors including Ngn2, Mash1, and NeuroD1 nor subsequent generation of new neurons could be detected in injured tissue. Our results suggest that signaling through the cell-surface receptor Notch is involved in this restriction. The expression of Notch1 in vivo was enhanced in response to injury. Furthermore, activation of Notch signaling in vitro inhibited differentiation of adult progenitors, whereas attenuation of Notch signals and forced expression of Ngn2 significantly enhanced neurogenesis. These results suggest that both the intrinsic properties of adult progenitors and local environmental signals, including Notch signaling, account for the limited regenerative potential of the adult spinal cord.

Studies on ras proteins. Catalytic properties of normal and activated ras proteins purified in the absence of protein denaturants.

Normal (Gly12) and activated (Val12) Ha-ras proteins were produced in Escherichia coli, and purified to an apparent homogeneity without using any protein denaturants. The purified proteins contained an equimolar amount of GDP. They were stable in the presence of 5 mM Mg2+ and 25% (v/v) glycerol when incubated at 60 degrees C for 5 min. The binding of GDP to the protein was greatly stabilized by Mg2+. In the presence of 10 mM Mg2+, the bound GDP hardly exchanged with external guanine nucleotides, even at 30 degrees C. The exchange reaction was markedly enhanced in the presence of 10 mM EDTA or 120 mM ammonium sulfate. The rate-limiting step of the exchange reaction was the dissociation of the bound GDP from the ras protein, and this step was facilitated 40- to 100-fold by the addition of EDTA or ammonium sulfate. The dissociation rate of the normal (Gly12) ras protein was 2- to 3-fold faster than that of the activated (Val12) protein. The dissociation constants (Kd) for GDP of the normal and activated ras proteins were 1.2 X 10(-8) and 3.1 X 10(-9) M, respectively. The overall turnover rate of GTPase activity of the normal ras protein (10.8 mmol.mol-1.min-1) was about 10-fold higher than that of the activated protein (1.1 mmol.mol-1.min-1) in the absence of Mg2+ (less than 10(-8) M).

Suppressors of a gpa1 mutation cause sterility in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae GPA1 gene encodes a protein highly homologous to the alpha subunit of mammalian G proteins and is essential for haploid cell growth. We have selected 77 mutants able to suppress the lethality resulting from disruption of GPA1 (gpa1::HIS3). Two strains bearing either of two recessive mutations, sgp1 and sgp2, in combination with the disruption mutation, showed a cell type nonspecific sterile phenotype, yet expressed the major alpha-factor gene (MF alpha 1) as judged by the ability to express a MF alpha 1-lacZ fusion gene. The sgp1 mutation was closely linked to gpa1::HIS3 and probably occurred at the GPA1 locus. The sgp2 mutation was not linked to GPA1 and was different from the previously identified cell type nonspecific sterile mutations (ste4, ste5, ste7, ste11 and ste12). sgp2 GPA1 cells showed a fertile phenotype, indicating that the mating defect caused by sgp2 is associated with the loss of GPA1 function. While expression of a FUS1-lacZ fusion gene was induced in wild-type cells by the addition of alpha-factor, mutants bearing sgp1 or sgp2 as well as gpa1::HIS3 constitutively expressed FUS1-lacZ. These observations suggest that GPA1 (SGP1) and SGP2 are involved in mating factor-mediated signal transduction, which causes both cell cycle arrest in the late G1 phase and induction of genes necessary for mating such as FUS1.

Dynamic expression of basic helix-loop-helix Olig family members: implication of Olig2 in neuron and oligodendrocyte differentiation and identification of a new member, Olig3.

Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors have been shown to be essential for specification of various cell types. Here, we describe a novel bHLH family consisting of three members, two of which (Olig1, Olig2) are expressed in a nervous tissue-specific manner, whereas the third, Olig3 is found mainly in non-neural tissues. Olig1 and Olig2, which recently have been implicated in oligodendrogenesis, are expressed in the region of the ventral ventricular zone of late embryonic spinal cord where oligodendrocyte progenitors appear. In the embryonic brain, the Olig2 expression domain is broader than that of Olig1 and does not overlap with an oligodendrocyte progenitor marker, CNP. Furthermore, Olig2 is expressed in most cells in the ventral half of the early embryonic spinal cord, which do not yet express an early neuronal marker TuJ1. These results indicate that Olig2 expression is not limited to the oligodendrocyte lineage but includes immature neuronal progenitors and multipotential neuron/glia progenitors as well as embryonic olfactory neurons.

Epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor-alpha can induce neuronal differentiation of rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells under particular culture conditions.

In rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells, NGF induces neuronal differentiation. Upon stimulation with NGF, Ras is activated to a GTP-bound form, and the activated Ras can induce neuronal differentiation. Recently, we and others observed that epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) can also activate Ras in PC12 cells. This is puzzling since previous reports indicated that EGF stimulates proliferation rather than differentiation in PC12 cells. In this paper, we re-examined the biological effect of EGF and TGF-alpha, and found that these factors can also induce neuronal differentiation under particular culture conditions. Not only the outgrowth of long neurites, but the induction of neurofilament proteins and the metalloprotease transin was also observed in the EGF- and TGF-alpha-stimulated cells. These data clearly indicate that in addition to NGF, EGF and TGF-alpha can also induce the differentiation of PC12 cells under particular conditions.

Establishment and characterization of a multipotential neural cell line that can conditionally generate neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes in vitro.

In the mammalian central nervous system (CNS), multipotential neural stem cells in the neuroepithelium generate the three major types of neural cells, namely, neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying proliferation and differentiation of these neural stem cells, we established a cell line named MNS-57 from the embryonic day 12 rat neuroepithelium by introducing the mycer fusion gene, in which c-myc can be conditionally activated by adding oestrogen to the culture medium. MNS-57 cells expressed nestin, vimentin, and the RC1 antigen, which are potential markers for neural stem cells. We show that under particular culture conditions, MNS-57 cells can conditionally generate neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes in vitro, indicating that they are likely to originate from multipotential neural stem cells. Incubating MNS-57 cells with either oestrogen, which activates mycer, or growth factors such as basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulated their growth, and the combination of oestrogen and bFGF (or EGF) had a synergistically stronger mitogenic effect than the single factors. Furthermore, both c-myc activation and bFGF appeared to be necessary for the differentiation of MNS-57 cells, and only when stimulated by both signals simultaneously, the cells committed to generating multiple neural cell types. Thus, the property of the cell line is unique in that its differentiation into neurons and glia can be conditionally manipulated in vitro in an exogenous signal-dependent manner. We propose that the cell line described here will provide an useful in vitro model to understand genetic and environmental mechanisms that control the generation of neural cell diversity in the CNS.

Differentiation factors, including nerve growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, and interleukin-6, induce an accumulation of an active Ras.GTP complex in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells.

Ras has been thought to be involved in neuronal differentiation of rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. PC12 cells are immature adrenal chromaffin-like cells which undergo differentiation to sympathetic neuron-like cells in response to nerve growth factor (NGF). Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and interleukin (IL)-6 can also induce differentiation of PC12 cells. In this paper, we report that NGF, FGF, and IL-6 induce an accumulation of an active Ras.GTP complex. In the serum-starved culture of PC12 cells, 6% of the Ras protein was complexed with GTP. Upon stimulation with NGF, the percentage of Ras.GTP increased to 24% after 2 min, and the high level of Ras.GTP was maintained for at least 16 h. On the other hand, the activation of Ras by FGF and IL-6 showed distinct kinetics; about 3-fold increase of Ras.GTP was detected at 10 min, and afterward, the level returned to the basal level within 60 min. These observations provide direct evidence that activation of Ras is involved in signal transduction from these differentiation factors. In addition, it was found that growth factors, including epidermal growth factor, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor-I, and a tumor promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), can also activate Ras under the same conditions. A tyrosine kinase-specific inhibitor, genistein, inhibited the increase of Ras.GTP induced by NGF and other factors. On the other hand, down-regulation of protein kinase C (PKC) by prolonged treatment with TPA, which sufficiently blocked TPA-induced Ras activation, did not abolish the formation of Ras.GTP by NGF. These results suggest that tyrosine kinases rather than PKC play a major role in the NGF-induced activation of Ras in PC12 cells.

GTP-dependent association of Raf-1 with Ha-Ras: identification of Raf as a target downstream of Ras in mammalian cells.

Ras is involved in signal transduction of various factors for growth, differentiation, and oncogenesis. Recent studies have revealed several proteins that function upstream and downstream of the Ras signaling pathway. However, its immediate downstream target molecular has not yet been identified. In an effort to identify the Ras-associated downstream proteins, we added recombinant Ha-Ras in a GTP-bound form to cell-free lysates and used several antibodies against Ras to immunoprecipitate Ras complexes. We found that a serine/threonine kinase, Raf-1, was coimmunoprecipitated with Ha-Ras by two anti-Ras antibodies (LA069 and Y13-238), whereas a neutralizing antibody against Ras (Y13-259) could not precipitate Raf-1. The coimmunoprecipitation was observed with a complex of Ras and guanosine 5'-[gamma- thio]triphosphate but not with a complex of Ras and guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate. The GTP-dependent association of Ha-Ras with Raf-1 was observed with lysates of various types of cultured cells, including NIH 3T3, pheochromocytoma (PC) 12, Ba/F3, and Jurkat T cells, and also with crude extracts from rat brain. Furthermore, Raf-1 was precipitated with a transforming Ha-Ras mutant ([Val12]Ras) and wild-type Ha-Ras but not with an effector-region mutant ([Leu35,ARg37]Ras) that lacks transforming activity. These results indicate that Ras.GTP physically associates with Raf either directly or through other component(s) and strongly suggest that Raf functions in close downstream proximity to Ras in mammalian cells.

Occurrence in Saccharomyces cerevisiae of a gene homologous to the cDNA coding for the alpha subunit of mammalian G proteins.

From cross-hybridization studies with cDNAs that code for the alpha subunits of rat brain guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory (G) proteins, we have isolated a gene from yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae encoding an amino acid sequence that is highly homologous to the alpha subunit of the G protein that mediates inhibition of adenylate cyclase (Gi alpha) from rat brain. The gene, tentatively designated as GPA1, contains a contiguous, single open reading frame of 1416 nucleotides that codes for a protein of 472 amino acids with a calculated Mr of 54,075. The predicted amino acid sequence of the protein encoded by the GPA1 gene (tentatively designated as G protein 1 alpha or GP1 alpha) is remarkably homologous to the amino acid sequence of rat brain Gi alpha and the alpha subunit of the G protein of unknown function (Go alpha); the primary structure of the sites for GTP hydrolysis as well as GTP interaction are nearly identical. The main difference in the molecular sizes of yeast GP1 alpha (472 amino acids) and rat brain Gi alpha (355 amino acids) is due to the presence of a stretch of 110 extra amino acid residues in yeast GP1 alpha, which are inserted near the NH2-terminal one-third of mammalian Gi alpha. From blot-hybridization analysis, the size of the GP1 alpha mRNA was estimated as 1.7 kilobases.

Isolation and characterization of a gene encoding a G-protein alpha subunit from Schizosaccharomyces pombe: involvement in mating and sporulation pathways.

The gpal gene of Schizosaccharomyces pombe, which encodes a protein homologous with the alpha subunits of mammalian guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins), was isolated by cross-hybridization using rat Gi1 alpha and Gx alpha cDNA. The deduced amino acid sequence was about 37% identical with rat Gi1 alpha and Gx alpha proteins and contained three conserved motifs commonly found in all GTP-binding proteins. Disruption of gpa1 was not lethal but conferred sterility and sporulation deficiency on Sch. pombe cells. Thus, the gene is essential for the sexual development and is probably coupled to mating-factor receptors. In contrast to Saccharomyces cerevisiae GPA1, which plays a negative role in mating-factor signal transduction, Sch. pombe gpa1+ apparently has a positive function. A gpa1 transcript of 2.2 kilobases was detected in vegetatively growing cells. A 1.6-kilobase gpa1 transcript appeared in addition to the 2.2-kilobase transcript when cells were derepressed for mating or meiosis.

Involvement of ras p21 protein in signal-transduction pathways from interleukin 2, interleukin 3, and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor, but not from interleukin 4.

The protooncogene ras acts as a component of signal-transduction networks in many kinds of cells. The ras gene product (p21) is a GTP-binding protein, and the activity of the protein is regulated by bound GDP/GTP. Recent studies have shown that a certain class of growth factors stimulates the formation of active p21-GTP complexes in fibroblasts and that oncogene products with enhanced tyrosine kinase activities have a similar effect on ras p21. We have measured the ratio of active GTP-bound p21 to total p21 in several lymphoid and myeloid cell lines in order to understand the role of ras in the proliferation of these cells. Interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-3, and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) enhance the formation of the active p21.GTP, whereas IL-4 has no effect on p21-bound GDP/GTP. These results strongly suggest that ras p21 acts as a transducer of signals from IL-2, IL-3, and GM-CSF, but not from IL-4.

A binding site for Gli proteins is essential for HNF-3beta floor plate enhancer activity in transgenics and can respond to Shh in vitro.

The floor plate plays important roles in ventral pattern formation and axonal guidance within the neural tube of vertebrate embryos. A critical event for floor plate development is the induction of a winged helix transcription factor, Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor-3beta (HNF-3beta). The enhancer for floor plate expression of HNF-3beta is located 3' of the transcription unit and consists of multiple elements. HNF-3beta induction depends on the notochord-derived signal, Sonic hedgehog (Shh). Genetic analysis in Drosophila has led to the identification of genes involved in the Hh signalling pathway, and cubitus interruptus (ci), encoding a protein with five zinc finger motifs, was placed downstream. In the present work, we test the involvement of Gli proteins, the mouse homologues of Ci, in activation of the floor plate enhancer of HNF-3beta. Transgenic analysis shows that a Gli-binding site is required for the activity of the minimal floor plate enhancer of HNF-3beta in vivo. Three Gli genes are differentially expressed in the developing neural tube. Gli expression is restricted to the ventral part, while Gli2 and Gli3 are expressed throughout the neural tube and dorsally, respectively. Strong Gli and Gli2, and weak Gli3 expressions transiently overlap with HNF-3beta at the time of its induction. Consistent with ventrally localized expression, Gli expression can be up-regulated by Shh in a cell line. Finally, the Gli-binding site acts as a Shh responsive element, and human GLI, but not GLI3, can activate this binding site in tissue culture. Taken together, these findings suggest that Gli, and probably also Gli2, are good candidates for transcriptional activators of the HNF-3beta floor plate enhancer, and the binding site for Gli proteins is a key element for response to Shh signalling. These results also support the idea that Gli/Ci are evolutionary conserved transcription factors in the Hedgehog signalling pathway.

Platelet-derived growth factor stimulates formation of active p21ras.GTP complex in Swiss mouse 3T3 cells.

The ras gene product (p21) is a GTP-binding protein and is thought to play an important role in signal transduction of growth and differentiation in many types of mammalian cells. The p21.GTP complex is an active conformation, as described previously for polypeptide chain elongation factors (EF-Tu and EF-G) and heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins (G proteins). In the study reported here, we measured the amounts of p21-bound guanine nucleotides under various conditions in the G54 cell line, a derivative of Swiss 3T3 cells that overexpresses normal c-Ha-ras. More p21.GTP complexes were present in growing cells than in quiescent cells. When quiescent cells were stimulated with fetal bovine serum to promote DNA synthesis, p21.GTP increased approximately 2-fold. Among a number of purified growth factors, platelet-derived growth factor enhanced the formation of p21.GTP, whereas the combination of bombesin and insulin, which also induces DNA synthesis, did not. These results strongly suggest that p21 is a transducer of the growth signal from the platelet-derived growth factor receptor in Swiss 3T3 cells and that the signal is transmitted through a p21.GTP complex.

Accumulation of p21ras.GTP in response to stimulation with epidermal growth factor and oncogene products with tyrosine kinase activity.

The ras gene product (p21) is a GTP-binding protein and has been thought to transduce signals regulating proliferation or differentiation of cells. Like other GTP-binding proteins, p21.GTP is an active conformation, which can transduce the signals downstream, whereas p21.GDP is an inactive one. Recently, we have shown that p21.GTP levels increased in cells treated with fetal bovine serum or platelet-derived growth factor to initiate DNA synthesis. In this paper, we report that epidermal growth factor can also increase the amounts of p21.GTP in the cells. Effects of epidermal growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor are not additive. In contrast, mutant [Val12]p21, which has transforming activity, responded neither to platelet-derived growth factor nor to epidermal growth factor. We also found that the ratio of p21.GTP to p21.GDP increased 3- to 4-fold in transformants carrying activated erbB-2/neu or v-src oncogenes. These results strongly suggest an important role of p21 in transduction of signals for both normal proliferation and malignant transformation through growth factor receptors with tyrosine kinase activity or related oncogene products.