cDNA cloning and expression of the peptide-binding β subunit of rat p21rasfarnesyltransferase, the counterpart of yeast DPR1/RAM1

Wen Ji Chen, Douglas A. Andres, Joseph L. Goldstein, David W. Russell, Michael S. Brown

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

179 Scopus citations

Abstract

Protein farnesyltransferase is a heterodimeric enzyme that attaches a farnesyl group to cysteine in ras proteins and other membrane-associated proteins. The β subunit contains the recognition site for the peptide substrates, but is inactive in the absence of the α subunit. A cloned cDNA for the rat β subunit predicts a protein of 437 amino acids whose mRNA is present in many tissues. Transfection of the β subunit cDNA produced farnesyltransferase activity in human kidney cells, but only when it was transfected together with a cDNA encoding part of the α subunit. Each of the subunits appeared to be unstable in the transfected cells unless the other subunit was present. The rat β subunit shows 37% sequence identity with the protein encoded by the yeast DPR1/RAM1 gene, indicating that DPR1/RAM1 is the yeast counterpart of the peptide-binding subunit of the mammalian farnesyltransferase.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)327-334
Number of pages8
JournalCell
Volume66
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 26 1991

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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