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Molecular and Cellular Biology, November 1998, p. 6698-6710, Vol. 18, No. 11
Abteilung Strukturelle Biologie,
Received 26 March 1998/Returned for modification 14 May
1998/Accepted 18 August 1998
Activation of c-Raf-1 (referred to as Raf) by Ras is a pivotal step
in mitogenic signaling. Raf activation is initiated by binding of Ras
to the regulatory N terminus of Raf. While Ras binding to residues 51 to 131 is well understood, the role of the RafC1 cysteine-rich domain
comprising residues 139 to 184 has remained elusive. To resolve the
function of the RafC1 domain, we have performed an exhaustive surface
scanning mutagenesis. In our study, we defined a high-resolution map of
multiple distinct functional epitopes within RafC1 that are required
for both negative control of the kinase and the positive function of
the protein. Activating mutations in three different epitopes enhanced
Ras-dependent Raf activation, while only some of these mutations
markedly increased Raf basal activity. One contiguous inhibitory
epitope consisting of S177, T182, and M183 clearly contributed to
Ras-Raf binding energy and represents the putative Ras binding site of
the RafC1 domain. The effects of all RafC1 mutations on Ras binding and Raf activation were independent of Ras lipid modification. The inhibitory mutation L160A is localized to a position analogous to the
phorbol ester binding site in the protein kinase C C1 domain, suggesting a function in cofactor binding. Complete inhibition of
Ras-dependent Raf activation was achieved by combining mutations K144A
and L160A, which clearly demonstrates an absolute requirement for
correct RafC1 function in Ras-dependent Raf activation.
0270-7306/98/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1998, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.
The RafC1 Cysteine-Rich Domain Contains
Multiple Distinct Regulatory Epitopes Which Control
Ras-Dependent Raf Activation
*
Corresponding author. Mailing address: Abt.
Strukturelle Biologie, Max-Plank-Institut für Molekulare
Physiologie, Postfach 10 26 64, D-44026 Dortmund, Germany. Phone: 49 231 1206 274. Fax: 49 231 1206 230. E-mail:
christoph.block{at}mpi-dortmund.mpg.de.
Molecular and Cellular Biology, November 1998, p. 6698-6710, Vol. 18, No. 11
0270-7306/98/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1998, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.
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