Molecular switch for signal transduction: structural differences between active and inactive forms of protooncogenic ras proteins.

Ras proteins participate as a molecular switch in the early steps of the signal transduction pathway that is associated with cell growth and differentiation. When the protein is in its GTP complexed form it is active in signal transduction, whereas it is inactive in its GDP complexed form. A comparison of eight three-dimensional structures of ras proteins in four different crystal lattices, five with a nonhydrolyzable GTP analog and three with GDP, reveals that the "on" and "off" states of the switch are distinguished by conformational differences that span a length of more than 40 A, and are induced by the gamma-phosphate. The most significant differences are localized in two regions: residues 30 to 38 (the switch I region) in the second loop and residues 60 to 76 (the switch II region) consisting of the fourth loop and the short alpha-helix that follows the loop. Both regions are highly exposed and form a continuous strip on the molecular surface most likely to be the recognition sites for the effector and receptor molecule(or molecules). The conformational differences also provide a structural basis for understanding the biological and biochemical changes of the proteins due to oncogenic mutations, autophosphorylation, and GTP hydrolysis, and for understanding the interactions with other proteins.

Mutagenic metabolites in urine and feces of rats fed with 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline, a carcinogenic mutagen present in cooked meat.

To study the in vivo fate of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), a carcinogenic mutagen present in cooked meat, rats were fed MeIQx in the diet and their urine and feces were analyzed for the metabolites. The isolation procedure included specific adsorption of MeIQx derivatives to blue cotton and subsequent fractionations by thin layer chromatography on silica gel and by high pressure liquid chromatography. Attention was focused on mutagenically active metabolites. Three metabolites were isolated from the urine, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, ultraviolet, and mass spectra. The first metabolite characterized was 2-amino-8-hydroxymethyl-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (Compound I), the second was 2-acetylamino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (Compound II), and the third was 2-amino-8-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (Compound III). Compound I was isolated also from the feces. Compounds I-III were mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium TA98 with metabolic activation. The mutagenic potency of Compounds I and II was as high as that of MeIQx, and that of Compound III was much lower than that of MeIQx.

Under-modified Y base in a tRHAPhe isoacceptor observed in tumor cells.

A fluorescent wye (Ye) was isolated from tRHAPhe specific to Ehrlich ascites cells. The structure was determined to be alpha-amino-beta-hydroxy-4,9,-dihydro-4,6-dimethyl-9-oxo-1-H-imidazo(1,2-alpha)purine-7-butyric acid: namely the compound lacking methyl carboxyl and methyl groups and thus is an under-modified precursor of hydroxy-Y base present in normal liver tRNAPhe.

Recognition of UUN codons by two leucine tRNA species from Escherichia coli.

Codon recognition by Escherichia coli tRNA(Leu)4 and tRNA(Leu)5 was investigated by analysis of the competition between two aminoacyl-tRNA species in an in vitro protein synthesis. Both tRNA species strictly obey the wobble rule when they are in competition with other tRNA species. This is probably due to the post-transcriptional modifications at the first position of the anticodon of these tRNA(Leu) species, supporting the proposal that the conformational rigidity of post-transcriptionally modified pyrimidine nucleotides guarantees the correct codon recognition.

Detection of potent mutagens, Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2, in broiled fish.

The potent mutagens Trp-P-1 (3-amino-1, 4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido-[4,3-b]-indole) and Trp-P-2 (3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole) are known to be produced by pyrolysis of tryptophan [8]. To determine whether such mutagens are produced by cooking foods, the fractions obtained from broiled sardines cooked in the ordinary way were analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The results showed that 13.3 ng of Trp-P-1 and 13.1 ng of Trp-P-2 were, in fact, present per gram of broiled sardines.

Formation of mutagens in cooked foods. III. Isolation of a potent mutagen from beef.

The major mutagenic component of fried beef has been isolated using a series of chromatographic steps. The pure compound has been analyzed by low and high resolution mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results indicate that the molecular weight of this extremely mutagenic compound is 198, with an elemental composition of C11H10N4. The compound is different from the known mutagenic pyrolysis products of amino acids or proteins.

Analysis of mutagens from cooked foods by directly combined liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Directly combined high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) has been studied as a method of analysis of heterocyclic aromatic mutagens in cooked foods, in the parts per billion concentration range. Identification and semiquantitative estimation of mutagens is based on accurate measurement of chromatographic retention (k') and molecular weight-selective detection of mutagens, which are protonated during passage of the chromatographic eluant into a thermospray interface of a quadrupole mass spectrometer. Standard chromatographic retention (k') values in two reversed-phase systems and data from thermospray mass spectra from nine mutagens are reported. An isolation scheme employing CH3OH extraction, acid-base partition, cellulose-trisulfo-Cu-phthalocyanine adsorption, and normal-phase HPLC was used prior to LC/MS analysis. Initial applications have been demonstrated in the analysis of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) and 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ) in broiled salmon flesh. Levels measured were estimated to be in the range 0.2 to 0.4 microgram/kg IQ and 0.4 to 0.9 microgram/kg MeIQ. The method is judged to be generally applicable with minimal sample prefractionation to detection of mutagens at the parts per billion level in cooked foods.

Purification and thermal stability of several amino acid-specific tRNAs from an extreme thermophile, Thermus thermophilus HB8.

Three species of methionine tRNAs and phenylalanine, tyrosine, and isoleucine tRNAs were purified from an extreme thermophile, Thermus thermophilus HB8. Formylation studies of the three methionine tRNAs and their codon-specific binding activities to ribosomes showed that two of them (named tRNAf1Met and tRNAf2Met) were initiator tRNAs and the other (named tRNAmMet) was a non-initiator. The tRNAs from T. thermophilus all had melting temperatures of up to ten degrees higher than the corresponding species from E. coli. Most of the species also had slightly higher G+C contents than the corresponding species of E. coli, and each of them contained one mol each of the modified nucleosides, O2'-methylguanosine (Gm), 2-thioribothymidine (s2T), and 1-methyladenosine (m1A). Their high melting temperatures could be explained by their high G+C contents and the presence of the modified nucleosides, espically s2T. Comparison of the melting temperatures of T. thermophilus tRNAf2Met with those of E. coli tRNAfMet and tRNAmMet at different magnesium concentrations showed that magnesium was also a factor in the thermostability of the thermophile tRNA.

Modified nucleoside, 5-carbamoylmethyluridine, located in the first position of the anticodon of yeast valine tRNA.

A novel modified nucleoside located in the first position of the anticodon of yeast tRNAVal2a was isolated and its chemical structure was characterized as 5-carbamoylmethyluridine by means of ultraviolet absorption spectrum, mass spectrum, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum.

Nucleotide sequence of formylmethionine tRNA from an extreme thermophile, Thermus thermophilus HB8.

The nucleotide sequence of formylmethionine tRNA from an extreme thermophile, Thermus thermophilus HB8, was determined by a combination of classical methods using unlabeled samples to determine the sequences of the oligonucleotides of RNase T1 and RNase A digests and a rapid sequencing gel technique using 5'-32P labeled samples to determine overlapping sequences. Formylmethionine tRNA from T. thermophilus is composed of two species, tRNAf1Met and tRNAf2Met. Their nucleotide sequences are almost identical, and are also almost identical with that of E. coli tRNAfMet, except for slight modifications and replacements. Both species have modifications at three points which do not exist in E. coli tRNAfMet: 2'-O-methylation at G19, N-1-methylation at A59 and 2-thiolation at T55. Moreover U51 in E. coli tRNAfMet is replaced by C51 in both species, so that a G-C pair is formed between this C51 and G65. tRNAf2Met has a reversed G-C pair at positions 52 and 64 compared with those in tRNAf1Met and E. coli tRNAfMet. Other regions are mostly the same as those in all prokaryotic initiator tRNAs so far reported. The thermostability of these thermophile initiator tRNAs is discussed in relation to their unique modifications.

The hydration of Ras p21 in solution during GTP hydrolysis based on solution X-ray scattering profile.

The small-angle X-ray scattering technique was used to characterize the structure in solution of wild type ras p21 as well as the oncogenic proteins mutated at residue 12, 59, or 61. In the presence of GDP, the radius of gyration, Rg, determined for wild type ras p21 was 16.89 +/- 0.01 A, while the wild type ras p21 bound to the GTP analogue GDPNHP (5'-guanyl imido diphosphate beta-gamma-imidoguanosine 5'-triphosphate) showed an Rg value of 17.46 +/- 0.01 A, which is 3.3% larger. The result shows that ras p21 expands upon GTP binding. The Rgs of mutated proteins were 17.04 +/- 0.01, 16.98 +/- 0.01, and 17.03 +/- 0.01 A for the Gly-12 to Val, Ala-59 to Thr, and Gln-61 to Leu mutants, respectively. The scattering profiles were analyzed by simulation of hydrated ras p21, based on the crystal atomic coordinates, and it was concluded that the ras p21 molecule incorporates 20% more bulk water upon GTP binding. The increase of bulk water is especially conspicuous around the interface between switch I (residues 32-40) and switch II (residues 60-66) regions. This suggests that hydration plays an important role in the interaction with GAP.

Elevation of plasma levels of fluorinated pyrimidines by guanosine 5'-monophosphate.

The plasma concentration of 5-fluorouracil (FUra) following the i.v. administration of FUra and guanosine 5'-monophosphate (GMP) or guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP) was markedly elevated. These values were more than 5-fold higher than those obtained with FUra alone over 60 min after administration. The elevation of plasma levels corresponded to the dose of GMP. Higher levels of FUra were maintained in the plasma after injection of inosine or inosine 5'-monophosphate in combination with FUra than after FUra alone, but they were lower than those induced by GMP or GTP. Moreover, plasma levels of two other fluorinated pyrimidines, 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (DFUR) and 5-fluoro-2'-deoxycytidine (FdCyd), were also elevated by GMP. The combination of DFUR and GMP resulted in higher plasma levels of DFUR itself and FUra (12- and 10-fold, respectively, 30 min after treatment). After administration of FdCyd plus GMP, the plasma levels of FdCyd, 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine, which is converted from FdCyd by cytidine deaminase, and FUra were 2-, 6-, and 7-fold higher, respectively, than those after FdCyd alone 30 min after treatment. Thus, GMP is the most effective compound for the maintenance of high plasma levels of fluorinated pyrimidines.

Selective inhibition of oncogenic ras-p21 in vivo by agents that block its interaction with jun-N-kinase (JNK) and jun proteins. Implications for the design of selective chemotherapeutic agents.

We have obtained evidence that oncogenic and activated normal ras-p21 proteins utilize overlapping but distinct signal transduction pathways. Recently, we found that ras-p21 binds to both jun and its kinase, jun kinase (JNK). We now present evidence that suggests that oncogenic but not normal activated p21 depends strongly on early activation of JNK/jun. This early activation most likely involves direct interaction between oncogenic p21 and JNK/jun because p21 peptides that blocked the binding of p21 to JNK and jun strongly inhibited oncogenic p21-induced oocyte maturation while they did not inhibit insulin-activated normal cellular p21-induced maturation. Very similar results were also obtained for a newly characterized specific inhibitor of JNK which blocked oncogenic but not normal activated p21-induced oocyte maturation. We also found that both jun and JNK strongly enhanced oncogenic p21-induced oocyte maturation while they inhibited insulin-activated normal p21-induced oocyte maturation. These results suggest that the peptides and JNK inhibitor may be useful agents in selectively blocking the effects of oncogenic but not normal p21 in cells.

Plasmid expression of a peptide that selectively blocks oncogenic ras-p21-induced oocyte maturation.

PURPOSE: We have previously found that a synthetic peptide corresponding to ras-p21 residues 96 110 (PNC2) selectively blocks oncogenic (Val 12-containing) ras-p21 protein-induced oocyte maturation. With a view to introducing this peptide into ras-transformed human cells to inhibit their proliferation, we synthesized an inducible plasmid that expressed this peptide sequence. Our purpose was to test this expression system in oocytes to determine if it was capable of causing selective inhibition of oncogenic ras-p21. METHODS: We injected this plasmid and a plasmid expressing a control peptide into oocytes either together with oncogenic p21 or in the presence of insulin (that induces maturation that is dependent on normal cellular ras-p21) in the presence and absence of the inducer isopropylthioglucose (IPTG). RESULTS: Microinjection of this plasmid into oocytes together with Val 12-p21 resulted in complete inhibition of maturation in the presence of inducer. Another plasmid encoding the sequence for the unrelated control peptide, X13, was unable to inhibit Val 12-p21-induced maturation. In contrast, PNC2 plasmid had no effect on the ability of insulin-activated normal cellular or wild-type ras-p21 to induce oocyte maturation, suggesting that it is selective for blocking the mitogenic effects of oncogenic (Val 12) ras p21. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the PNC2 plasmid selectively inhibits oncogenic ras-p21 and may therefore be highly effective in blocking proliferation of ras-induced cancer cells. Also, from the patterns of inhibition, by PNC2 and other ras- and raf-related peptides, of raf- and constitutively activated MEK-induced maturation, we conclude that PNC2 peptide inhibits oncogenic ras p21 downstream of raf.

Induction of oocyte maturation by jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) on the oncogenic ras-p21 pathway is dependent on the raf-MEK signal transduction pathway.

PURPOSE: We have previously found that microinjection of activated MEK (mitogen activated kinase kinase) and ERK (mitogen-activated protein; MAP kinase) fails to induce oocyte maturation, but that maturation, induced by oncogenic ras-p21 and insulin-activated cell ras-p21, is blocked by peptides from the ras-binding domain of raf. We also found that jun kinase (JNK), on the stress-activated protein (SAP) pathway, which is critical to the oncogenic ras-p21 signal transduction pathway, is a strong inducer of oocyte maturation. Our purpose in this study was to determine the role of the raf-MEK-MAP kinase pathway in oocyte maturation and how it interacts with JNK from the SAP pathway. METHODS: We microinjected raf dominant negative mutant mRNA (DN-raf) and the MEK-specific phosphatase, MKP-T4, either together with oncogenic p21 or c-raf mRNA, into oocytes or into oocytes incubated with insulin to determine the effects of these raf-MEK-MAP kinase pathway inhibitors. RESULTS: We found that oocyte maturation induced by both oncogenic and activated normal p21 is inhibited by both DN-raf and by MKP-T4. The latter more strongly blocks the oncogenic pathway. Also an mRNA encoding a constitutively activated MEK strongly induces oocyte maturation that is not inhibited by DN-raf or by MKP-T4. Surprisingly, we found that oocyte maturation induced by JNK is blocked both by DN-raf and MKP-T4. Furthermore, we discovered that c-raf induces oocyte maturation that is inhibited by glutathione-S-transferase (GST), which we have found to be a potent and selective inhibitor of JNK. CONCLUSION: We conclude that there is a strong reciprocal interaction between the SAP pathway involving JNK and the raf-MEK-MAP kinase pathway and that oncogenic ras-p21 can be preferentially inhibited by MEK inhibitors. The results imply that blockade of both MEK and JNK-oncogenic ras-p21 interactions may constitute selective synergistic combination chemotherapy against oncogenic ras-induced tumors.

A peptide from the GAP-binding domain of the ras-p21 protein and azatyrosine block ras-induced maturation of Xenopus oocytes.

The ras-oncogene-encoded p21 protein causes malignant transformation of NIH 3T3 cells and maturation of Xenopus oocytes when microinjected into these cells. P21 is known to interact with GTPase activating protein (GAP) intracellularly. Residues 32-45 of p21 have been implicated in interacting with GAP. In a previous study, we demonstrated that a synthetic peptide containing residues 35-47 from the GAP-binding region of p21 could block in vivo the effects of oncogenic p21 protein. It has also been found that an antibiotic, azatyrosine, blocks ras-initiated cell transformation. We now demonstrate that both of these agents inhibit the ras-p21 protein-induced maturation of Xenopus oocytes in a dose-related manner when microinjected into oocytes. The effects of each of these agents is specific. Both agents block insulin-induced maturation of oocytes, a process which is known to involve activation of endogenous normal p21 protein. On the other hand, neither agent inhibited oocyte maturation induced by progesterone, which is known to initiate oocyte maturation by ras-independent pathways. The inhibitory effects of the peptide were not mimicked by a control peptide from the CD4 receptor protein. Furthermore, the effect of azatyrosine was not mimicked by L-tyrosine. These results suggest that both the peptide and azatyrosine have potent anti-ras effects intracellularly.

Non-enzymatic glutathione conjugation of 2-nitroso-6-methyldipyrido [1,2-a: 3',2'-d] imidazole (NO-Glu-P-1) in vitro: N-hydroxy-sulfonamide, a new binding form of arylnitroso compounds and thiols.

In order to study the possible detoxification mechanisms of the carcinogenic arylamine, 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a: 3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-1), the in vitro non-enzymatic reaction of 2-nitroso-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a: 3',2'-d]imidazole (NO-Glu-P-1) with reduced glutathione (GSH) was examined at pH 7.4 under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Two GSH-arylamine adducts were isolated and found to contain the Glu-P-1 and GSH moieties in a 1:1 molar ratio via an N-S linkage. Their structures were assigned as sulfinamide (-NH-SO-) and N-hydroxy-sulfonamide (-N(OH)-SO2-) by their behaviour under acidic and basic conditions and by UV-VIS, 1H-NMR, infrared and mass spectrometries. Also, a N-hydroxy-sulfonamide adduct was produced when NO-Glu-P-1 and cysteine were reacted at pH 7.4. The N-hydroxy-sulfonamide structure is a new binding form between arylnitroso compounds and thiols. The formation of these adducts may also take place in vivo as a detoxification of toxic arylamines since GSH is abundant in organs such as liver or kidney.

Nucleic acid binding and mutagenicity of active metabolites of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline.

2-Amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) is a potent mutagen and carcinogen present in heated foodstuffs. The covalent binding of MeIQx to calf thymus DNA and calf liver RNA with microsomal activation was demonstrated. A major metabolite which exerts a direct mutagenic effect on S. typhimurium TA98 was found by HPLC analysis after incubation of MeIQx with rat liver microsomal fraction. The metabolite was identified as 2-hydroxyamino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (N-OH-MeIQx). Synthetic N-OH-MeIQx was found to bind non-enzymatically to DNA and RNA at neutral pH even at 0 degrees C. Addition of acetic anhydride increased the binding of N-OH-MeIQx to DNA 10 times. These results suggest that MeIQx is metabolized to N-OH-MeIQx by microsomal cytochrome P-450 and further activated to an acetylated form that binds efficiently to nucleic acids in rat liver. Preferential modification of polyguanylic acid suggests that guanine residues of DNA are mainly modified with MeIQx. Synthetic N-OH-MeIQx exerted direct mutagenic activity on S. typhimurium TA98 inducing 150,000 rev/micrograms. Pentachlorophenol (PCP) caused a dose-dependent inhibition of this mutagenic effect, but 2,6-dichloro-4-nitrophenol (DCNP) did not. Thus the acetyltransferase of S. typhimurium seems to be important for the high mutagenicity of MeIQx after its microsomal activation.

Mutagens in Japanese pickle identified as flavonoids.

A kind of Japanese pickel was mutagenic to TA100 and TA98 with S9 mix. Its activity was one sixth that of the Chinese pickle from Linhsien County (China), reported previously. Mutagens in this Japanese pickle were isolated; the main component was identified as kaempferol, and a minor component as isorhamnetin. Flavonoids are ubiquitous and the principles identified, kaempferol and isorhamnetin, do not seem to be specific to the pickle vegetable, implying that the mutagenic substances responsible for the high incidence of human cancer in China remain to be identified.

5-Formyldeoxyuridine: a new type of DNA damage induced by ionizing radiation and its mutagenicity to salmonella strain TA102.

An aqueous solution of calf thymus DNA was irradiated by 60Co gamma-rays and modified nucleosides produced in DNA were analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array UV detector. A new product with UV absorption maxima at 230 nm and 280 nm was observed. The structure of this compound was proposed to be 5-formyldeoxyuridine (f5dU) based on the mass spectrum of its trimethylsilyl derivative (M+, m/z472) and the structure was confirmed by chemical synthesis. The yield of f5dU (2.4/10(4) dT/krad) in DNA was of roughly the same order as that of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and 5-hydroxymethyldeoxyuridine. Free f5dU was mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium strain TA102: therefore f5dU incorporated into DNA may induce mutations.