The GAP-related domain of the neurofibromatosis type 1 gene product interacts with ras p21

The neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) protein contains a region of significant sequence similarity to ras p21 GTPase-activating protein (GAP) and the yeast IRA1 gene product. A fragment of NF1 cDNA encoding the GAP-related domain (NF1 GRD) was expressed, immunoaffinity purified, and assayed for effects on N-ras p21 GTPase activity. The GTPase of wild-type ras p21 was stimulated by NF1 GRD, but oncogenic mutants of ras p21 (Asp-12 and Val-12) were unaffected, and the GTPase of an effector mutant (Ala-38) was only weakly stimulated. NF1 GRD also down-regulated RAS function in S. cerevisiae. The affinity of NF1 GRD for ras p21 was estimated to be 250 nM: this is more than 20-fold higher than the affinity of GAP for ras p21. However, its specific activity was about 30 times lower. These kinetic measurements suggest that NF1 may be a significant regulator of ras p21 activity, particularly at low ras p21 concentrations.     

Inhibition of the ras p21 GTPase-activating protein-stimulated GTPase activity of c-Ha-ras p21 by smg p21 having the same putative effector domain as ras p21s

ras p21 GTPase-activating protein (GAP) has been proposed to interact with the putative effector domain of ras p21s, and smg p21, a ras p21-like guanine nucleotide binding protein (G protein), has been shown to have the same amino acid sequence as ras p21s in this region. In the present studies, we examined the effects of ras p21 GAP on the GTPase activity of smg p21 purified from human platelets, of smg p21 on the ras p21 GAP-stimulated GTPase activity of c-Ha-ras p21 purified from Escherichia coli, and of c-Ha-ras p21 on the smg p21 GAP1- or -2-stimulated GTPase activity of smg p21. ras p21 GAP stimulated the GTPase activity of c-Ha-ras p21 but not that of smg p21. The GTP-bound form of smg p21, however, inhibited the ras p21 GAP-stimulated GTPase activity of c-Ha-ras p21 in a dose-dependent manner. The half-maximum inhibition by smg p21 was obtained at 0.4 microM which was more potent than previously observed for ras p21 (2-200 microM). The GDP-bound form also inhibited the ras p21 GAP-stimulated GTPase activity of c-Ha-ras p21, but the efficiency was 40-50% that of the GTP-bound form. smg p21 GAP1 and -2 stimulated the GTPase activity of smg p21 but not that of c-Ha-ras p21. c-Ha-ras p21 did not inhibit the smg p21 GAP1- or -2-stimulated GTPase activity of smg p21. These results indicate that ras p21 GAP interacts with smg p21 without the subsequent stimulation of its GTPase activity.     

CD2 antigen mediated activation of the guanine nucleotide binding proteins p21ras in human T lymphocytes.

T cell stimulation via the TCR complex (TCR/CD3 complex) results in activation of the guanine nucleotide binding proteins encoded by the ras protooncogenes (p21ras). In the present study we show that the activation state of p21ras in T lymphocytes can also be controlled by triggering of the CD2 Ag. The activation state of p21ras is controlled by GTP levels on p21ras. In T cells stimulation of protein kinase C is able to induce an accumulation of "active" p21ras-GTP complexes due to an inhibitory effect of protein kinase C stimulation on the intrinsic GTPase activity of p21ras. The regulatory effect of protein kinase C on p21ras GTPase activity appears to be mediated via regulation of GAP, the GTPase activating protein of p21ras. In the present report, we demonstrate that the TCR/CD3 complex and the CD2 Ag control the accumulation of p21ras-GTP complexes via a regulatory effect on p21ras GTPase activity. The TCR/CD3 complex and CD2 Ag are also able to control the cellular activity of GAP. These data demonstrate that p21ras is part of the signal transduction responses controlled by the CD2 Ag, and reveal that the TCR/CD3 complex and CD2 Ag control the activation state of p21ras via a similar mechanism.     

Effect of divalent metal ions and glycerol on the GTPase activity of H-ras proteins

The product of the protooncogenic ras gene (p21N ras) exhibits a weak GTPase activity. A significant increase in the GTPase activity associated with p21N ras protein was obtained by using glycerol in the assay mixture. Of the several metal ions tested, only Mg++ and Mn++ are effective divalent cations that support the GTPase activity of p21N ras protein. p21N ras protein exhibits higher GTPase activity and yields higher [3H] GDP binding in the presence of MnCl2 than with MgCl2. Optimal GTPase and [3H] GDP binding are obtained at micromolar concentrations of MgCl2 or MnCl2. Concentrations in the millimolar range of either MgCl2 or MnCl2 are inhibitory to the GTPase activity, whereas [3H] GDP binding was not affected.     

Purification and characterization from bovine brain cytosol of proteins that regulate the GDP/GTP exchange reaction of smg p21s, ras p21-like GTP-binding proteins

Novel regulatory proteins for smg p21A and -B, ras p21-like GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) having the same putative effector domain as ras p21s, were purified to near homogeneity from bovine brain cytosol and characterized. These regulatory proteins, designated as GDP dissociation stimulator (GDS) 1 and -2, stimulated the dissociation of both [3H]GDP and [35S] guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S) from smg p21s to the same extent. smg p21 GDS1 and -2 also stimulated the binding of [35S]GTP gamma S to the GDP-bound form of smg p21s but not that to the guanine nucleotide-free form. These actions of smg p21 GDS1 and -2 were specific for smg p21s and inactive for other ras p21/ras p21-like G proteins including c-Ha-ras p21, rhoB p20, and smg p25A. Neither smg p21 GDS1 nor -2 stimulated the GTPase activity of smg p21s and by itself showed [35S]GTP gamma S-binding or GTPase activity. smg p21 GDS1 and -2 showed very similar physical and kinetic properties and were indistinguishable by peptide map analysis. The Mr values of smg p21 GDS1 and -2 were estimated to be about 53,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and from the S values, indicating that smg p21 GDS1 and -2 are composed of a single polypeptide without a subunit structure. smg p21 GDS1 and -2 were distinguishable from GTPase activating proteins (GAPs) for the ras and rho proteins, and smg p21B, and GDP dissociation inhibitors for smg p25A and the rho proteins previously identified in bovine brain cytosol. These results indicate that bovine brain contains regulatory proteins for smg p21s that stimulate the dissociation of GDP from and thereby the subsequent binding of GTP to smg p21s in addition to smg p21 GAP. It is likely that the conversion from the GDP-bound inactive form of smg p21s to the GTP-bound active form is regulated by smg p21 GDS and that its reverse reaction is regulated by smg p21 GAP.     

Binding of the H-ras p21 GTPase activating protein by the activated epidermal growth factor receptor leads to inhibition of the p21 GTPase activity in vitro.

There is strong, albeit indirect, evidence for a mitogenic signal transduction pathway comprising growth factors, growth factor receptors, the GTPase activating protein (p120-GAP), and p21ras. To demonstrate a direct physical association between these proteins in the absence of other cell constituents, their interaction was studied in vitro. Our results obtained with homogeneous protein preparations show that the activated epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor phosphorylates p120-GAP at one site. Phosphorylated p120-GAP remains firmly bound to the receptor at physiological salt concentration; this leads to product inhibition of the receptor kinase activity as shown by diminished autophosphorylation activity and lack of turnover in p120-GAP phosphorylation. Phosphorylated p120-GAP is as active in stimulating the p21ras.GTPase as unphosphorylated GAP. p120-GAP, however, when bound to the EGF receptor is by a factor of 2 less active in stimulating the p21ras.GTPase than free p120-GAP. This effect might contribute to regulate the steady-state level of p21-GTP.     

A C-terminal domain of GAP is sufficient to stimulate ras p21 GTPase activity.

The cDNA for bovine ras p21 GTPase activating protein (GAP) has been cloned and the 1044 amino acid polypeptide encoded by the clone has been shown to bind the GTP complexes of both normal and oncogenic Harvey (Ha) ras p21. To identify the regions of GAP critical for the catalytic stimulation of ras p21 GTPase activity, a series of truncated forms of GAP protein were expressed in Escherichia coli. The C-terminal 343 amino acids of GAP (residues 702-1044) were observed to bind Ha ras p21-GTP and stimulate Ha ras p21 GTPase activity with the same efficiency (kcat/KM congruent to 1 x 10(6) M-1 s-1 at 24 degrees C) as GAP purified from bovine brain or full-length GAP expressed in E. coli. Deletion of the final 61 amino acid residues of GAP (residues 986-1044) rendered the protein insoluble upon expression in E. coli. These results define a distinct catalytic domain at the C terminus of GAP. In addition, GAP contains amino acid similarity with the B and C box domains conserved among phospholipase C-II, the crk oncogene product, and the non-receptor tyrosine kinase oncogene products. This homologous region is located in the N-terminal half of GAP outside of the catalytic domain that stimulates ras p21 GTPase activity and may constitute a distinct structural or functional domain within the GAP protein.     

Regulatory mechanisms for ras proteins.

The proteins encoded by the ras proto-oncogenes play critical roles in normal cellular growth, differentiation and development in addition to their potential for malignant transformation. Several proteins that are involved in the control of the activity of p21ras have now been characterised. p120GAP stimulates the GTPase activity of p21ras and hence acts as a negative regulator of ras proteins. It may be controlled by tyrosine phosphorylation or association with tyrosine phosphorylated proteins. The neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF 1) gene also encodes a potential GTPase activating protein which is likely to be subject to a different control mechanism. Guanosine nucleotide exchange factors for p21ras have now been identified: these may be positive regulators of ras protein function. It appears that p21ras is subject to rapid regulation by several distinct mechanisms which are likely to vary in different cell types; the ras proteins are thereby able to act as very sensitive cellular monitors of the extracellular environment.     

GTPase activating proteins for the smg-21 GTP-binding protein having the same effector domain as the ras proteins in human platelets

Two proteins stimulating the GTPase activity of the smg-21 GTP-binding protein (smg p21) having the same effector domain as the ras proteins (ras p21s) are partially purified from the cytosol fraction of human platelets. These proteins, designated as smg p21 GTPase activating protein (GAP) 1 and 2, do not stimulate the GTPase activity of c-Ha-ras p21. The GAP activity for c-Ha-ras p21 is also detected in the cytosol fraction of human platelets. smg p21 GAP1 and 2 are separated from c-Ha-ras p21 GAP by column chromatographies. The activity of smg p21 GAP1 and 2 is killed by tryptic digestion or heat boiling. The Mr values of smg p21 GAP1 and 2 are similar and are estimated to be 2.5-3.5 x 10(5) by gel filtration analysis. These results indicate that there are two GAPs for smg p21 in addition to a GAP for c-Ha-ras p21 in human platelets.     

Hydrolysis of GTP by the alpha-chain of Gs and other GTP binding proteins

The functions of G proteins--like those of bacterial elongation factor (EF) Tu and the 21 kDa ras proteins (p21ras)--depend upon their abilities to bind and hydrolyze GTP and to assume different conformations in GTP- and GDP-bound states. Similarities in function and amino acid sequence indicate that EF-Tu, p21ras, and G protein alpha-chains evolved from a primordial GTP-binding protein. Proteins in all three families appear to share common mechanisms for GTP-dependent conformational change and hydrolysis of bound GTP. Biochemical and molecular genetic studies of the alpha-chain of Gs (alpha s) point to key regions that are involved in GTP-dependent conformational change and in hydrolysis of GTP. Tumorigenic mutations of alpha s in human pituitary tumors inhibit the protein's GTPase activity and cause constitutive elevation of adenylyl cyclase activity. One such mutation replaces a Gln residue in alpha s that corresponds to Gln-61 of p21ras; mutational replacements of this residue in both proteins inhibit their GTPase activities. A second class of GTPase inhibiting mutations in alpha s occurs in the codon for an Arg residue whose covalent modification by cholera toxin also inhibits GTP hydrolysis by alpha s. This Arg residue is located in a domain of alpha s not represented in EF-Tu or p21ras. We propose that this domain constitutes an intrinsic activator of GTP hydrolysis, and that it performs a function analogous to that performed for EF-Tu by the programmed ribosome and for p21ras by the recently discovered GTPase-activating protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The structure of Ras protein: a model for a universal molecular switch.

X-ray crystallography has revealed the molecular architecture of the cellular and oncogenic forms of p21Ha-ras, the protein encoded by the human Ha-ras gene, in both its active (GTP-bound) and in its inactive (GDP-bound) forms. From comparison of these two structures, a mechanism is suggested for the GTPase hydrolysis reaction that triggers the conformational change necessary for signal transduction. The structures have also allowed identification of the structural consequences of point mutations and the way in which they interfere with the intrinsic GTPase activity of p21ras. The p21ras structure is similar to that of the G-domain of elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) from Escherichia coli, suggesting that p21ras can serve as a good model for other guanine nucleotide binding proteins.     

Guanine nucleotide binding properties of the mammalian RalA protein produced in Escherichia coli

The simian ralA cDNA was inserted in a ptac expression vector, and high amounts of soluble ral protein were expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified p24ral contains 1 mol of bound nucleotide/mol of protein that can be exchanged against external nucleotide. The ral protein exchanges GDP with a t 1/2 of 90 min at 37 degrees C in the presence of Mg2+, and has a low GTPase activity (0.07 min-1 at 37 degrees C). We have also studied its affinity for various guanine nucleotides and analogs. NMR measurements show that the three-dimensional environment around the nucleotide is similar in p21ras and p24ral. In addition to these studies on the wild-type ral protein, we used in vitro mutagenesis to introduce substitutions corresponding to the Val12, Val12 + Thr59, and Leu61 substitutions of p21ras. These mutant ral proteins display altered nucleotide exchange kinetics and GTPase activities, however, the effects of the substitutions are less pronounced than in the ras proteins. p24ralVal12 + Thr59 autophosphorylates on the substituted Thr, as a side reaction of the GTP hydrolysis, but the rate is much lower than those of the Thr59 mutants of p21ras. These results show that ras and ral proteins have similar structures and biochemical properties. Significant differences are found, however, in the contribution of the Mg2+ ion to GDP binding, in the rate of the GTPase reaction and in the sensitivity of these two proteins to substitutions around the phosphate-binding site, suggesting that the various "small G-proteins" of the ras family perform different functions.     

H-ras mutants lacking the epitope for the neutralizing monoclonal antibody Y13-259 show decreased biological activity and are deficient in GTPase-activating protein interaction.

We have generated deletion mutants of the H-ras p21 protein which lack residues 58 to 63 or 64 to 68 and contain either the normal glycine or an activating mutation, arginine, at position 12. None of the deleted proteins were recognized by monoclonal antibody Y13-259, and those mutants with activating mutations showed at least a 100-fold reduction in their transforming activities compared with the activities of their nondeleted counterparts. Alterations observed in the in vitro GTPase or GTP interchange properties of the deletion mutants were not consistent with the decrease in their transforming activities. Moreover, each mutant showed normal membrane localization, which is essential for its biological activity. Recently, a newly identified protein, designated GTPase-activating protein (GAP), was found to markedly increase GTPase activity of the normal ras p21 but not of p21 mutants bearing activating lesions (H. Adari, D. R. Lowy, B. M. Willumsen, C. J. Der, and F. McCormick, Science 240:518-521, 1988). We showed that GAP had no effect on the in vitro GTPase activity of the deletion mutants of the normal p21 protein. Since similar deletions in mutants with activating lesions at position 12 or 59 or both showed decreased transforming activity, our results suggest that the recognition site for Y13-259 within the ras p21 molecule influences directly or indirectly the interaction of ras p21 with GAP and that this interaction is critical for biological activity of ras proteins.     

Mutations in the GTP-binding site of GS alpha alter stimulation of adenylyl cyclase

Mutational replacements of specific residues in the GTP-binding pocket of the 21-kDa ras proteins (p21ras) reduce their GTPase activity. To test the possibility that the cognate regions of G protein alpha chains participate in GTP binding and hydrolysis, we compared signaling functions of normal and mutated alpha chains (termed alpha s) of Gs, the stimulatory regulator of adenylyl cyclase. alpha s chains were expressed in an alpha s-deficient S49 mouse lymphoma cell line, cyc-. alpha s in which leucine replaces glutamine 227 (corresponding to glutamine 61 of p21ras) constitutively activates adenylyl cyclase and reduces the kcat for GTP hydrolysis more than 100-fold. There is a smaller reduction in GTPase activity in another mutant in which valine replaces glycine 49 (corresponding to glycine 12 of p21ras). This mutant alpha s is a poor activator of adenylyl cyclase. Moreover, the glycine 49 protein, unlike normal alpha s, is not protected against tryptic cleavage by hydrolysis resistant GTP analogs; this finding suggests impairment of the mutant protein's ability to attain the active (GTP-bound) conformation. We conclude that alpha s residues near glutamine 227 and glycine 49 participate in binding and hydrolysis of GTP, although the GTP binding regions of alpha s and p21ras are not identical.     

Ras activation by insulin and epidermal growth factor through enhanced exchange of guanine nucleotides on p21ras.

A number of growth factors, including insulin and epidermal growth factor (EGF), induce accumulation of the GTP-bound form of p21ras. This accumulation could be caused either by an increase in guanine nucleotide exchange on p21ras or by a decrease in the GTPase activity of p21ras. To investigate whether insulin and EGF affect nucleotide exchange on p21ras, we measured binding of [alpha-32P]GTP to p21ras in cells permeabilized with streptolysin O. For this purpose, we used a cell line which expressed elevated levels of p21 H-ras and which was highly responsive to insulin and EGF. Stimulation with insulin or EGF resulted in an increase in the rate of nucleotide binding to p21ras. To determine whether this increased binding rate is due to the activation of a guanine nucleotide exchange factor, we made use of the inhibitory properties of a dominant negative mutant of p21ras, p21ras (Asn-17). Activation of p21ras by insulin and EGF in intact cells was abolished in cells infected with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing p21ras (Asn-17). In addition, the enhanced nucleotide binding to p21ras in response to insulin and EGF in permeabilized cells was blocked upon expression of p21ras (Asn-17). From these data, we conclude that the activation of a guanine nucleotide exchange factor is involved in insulin- and EGF-induced activation of p21ras.     

Dissection of the GTPase mechanism of Ras protein by MD analysis of Ras mutants

Controlling the hydrolysis rate of GTP bound to the p21ras protein is crucial for the delicate timing of many biological processes. A few mechanisms were suggested for the hydrolysis of GTP. To gain more insight into the individual elementary events of GTP hydrolysis, we carried out molecular dynamic analysis of wild-type p21ras and some of its mutants. It was recently shown that Ras-related proteins and mutants generally follow a linear free energy relationship (LFER) relating the rate of reaction to the pK(a) of the gamma-phosphate group of the bound GTP, indicating that proton transfer from the attacking water to the GTP is the first elementary event in the GTPase mechanism. However, some exceptions were observed. Thus, the Gly12 --> Aspartic p21ras (G12D) mutant had a very low GTPase activity although its pK(a) was very close to that of the wild-type ras. Here we compared the molecular dynamics (MD) of wild-type Ras and G12D, showing that in the mutant the catalytic water molecule is displaced to a position where proton transfer to GTP is unfavorable. These results suggest that the mechanism of GTPase is indeed composed of an initial proton abstraction from water by the GTP, followed by a nucleophilic attack of the hydroxide ion on the gamma-phosphorus of GTP.     

Purification and characterization from bovine brain cytosol of two GTPase-activating proteins specific for smg p21, a GTP-binding protein having the same effector domain as c-ras p21s

The smg-21 GTP-binding protein (smg p21) has the same effector domain as the ras proteins (ras p21s) and is identical with the proteins of the rap1A and Krev-1 genes. In this paper, two proteins stimulating the GTPase activity of smg p21 are partially purified from bovine brain cytosol. These proteins, designated as smg p21 GTPase-activating protein (GAP) 1 and 2, are separated from a c-ras p21 GAP described previously by column chromatographies. smg p21 GAP1 and -2 stimulate the GTPase activity of only smg p21 but not that of c-Ha-ras p21 or the rho and smg-25A GTP-binding proteins. smg p21 GAP1 or -2 does not stimulate the dissociation of guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate or GDP from smg p21. smg p21 GAP1 or -2 themselves do not have GTP/GDP binding or GTPase activity. The Mr values of smg p21 GAP1 and -2 are estimated to be 250-400 x 10(3) and 80-100 x 10(3) by gel filtration and sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation, respectively. The activity of smg p21 GAP1 and -2 is killed by tryptic digestion or heat boiling. These results indicate that bovine brain contains two smg p21 GAPs in addition to c-ras p21 GAP.     

A novel small molecular weight GTP-binding protein with the same putative effector domain as the ras proteins in bovine brain membranes. Purification, determination of primary structure, and characterization

In the present studies, we have purified a novel small Mr GTP-binding protein, designated as smg p21, to near homogeneity from bovine brain crude membranes, isolated the complementary DNA (cDNA) of this protein from a bovine brain cDNA library, determined the complete nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences, and characterized the kinetic properties. The cDNA of smg p21 has an open reading frame encoding a protein of 184 amino acids with a calculated Mr of 20,987. The Mr of purified smg p21 is estimated to be about 22,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Homology search indicates that smg p21 is a novel protein with the consensus amino acid sequences for GTP/GDP-binding and GTPase domains but shares about 55% amino acid sequence homology with the human c-Ha-ras protein. Moreover, smg p21 has the same putative effector domain as the Ha-, Ki-, and N-ras proteins at the same position and the same consensus C-terminal sequence as in these ras proteins. Consistent with these structural properties, smg p21 binds specifically [35S] guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S), GTP, and GDP with a Kd value for GTP gamma S of about 40 nM. smg p21 binds about 0.7 mol of GTP gamma S/mol of protein. [35S]GTP gamma S-binding to smg p21 is inhibited by pretreatment with N-ethylmaleimide.smg p21 hydrolyzes GTP to liberate Pi with a turnover number of about 0.007 min-1. These kinetic properties of smg p21 are similar to those of the c-ras proteins. These results suggest that smg p21 is a novel GTP-binding protein exerting action(s) similar or antagonistic to that (those) of the ras proteins.     

A synthetic peptide corresponding to a sequence in the GTPase activating protein inhibits p21ras stimulation and promotes guanine nucleotide exchange

Amino acid sequence homology between the GTPase Activating Protein (GAP) and the GTP-binding regulatory protein, Gs alpha, suggests that a specific region of GAP primary structure (residues 891-898) may be involved in its stimulation of p21ras GTP hydrolytic activity (McCormick, F. [1989] Nature 340, 678-679). A peptide, designated p891, corresponding to GAP residues 891-906 (M891RTRVVSGFVFLRLIC906) was synthesized and tested for its ability to inhibit GAP-stimulated p21ras GTPase activity. At a concentration of 25 microM, p891 inhibited GAP activity approximately 50%. Unexpectedly, p891 also stimulated GTP binding to p21N-ras independent of GAP. This stimulation correlated with an enhancement of p21N-ras.GDP dissociation; an approximate 15-fold increase in the presence of 10 microM p891. In contrast, dissociation of the p21N-ras.GTP gamma S complex was unaffected by 10 microM p891. The p21N-ras.GDP complex was unresponsive to 100 microM mastoparan, a peptide toxin shown previously to accelerate GDP dissociation from the guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins, Gi and Go. p21H-ras, as well as the two p21H-ras effector mutants, Ala-38, and Ala-35, Leu-36, also exhibited increased rates of GDP dissociation in the presence of p891. Also tested were three ras-related GTP-binding proteins; rap, G25K and rac. The rap.-GDP complex was unaffected by 10 microM p891. Dissociation of the G25K- and rac.GDP complexes were enhanced slightly; approximately 1.3- and 1.8-fold over control, respectively. Thus, the inhibitory effect of p891 on GAP stimulation of p21ras suggests that amino acids within the region 891-906 of GAP may be essential for interaction with p21ras. In addition, p891 independently affects the nucleotide exchange properties of p21ras.     

Ras p21 proteins with high or low GTPase activity can efficiently transform NIH/3T3 cells

We sought to determine whether decreased in vitro GTPase activity is uniformly associated with ras p21 mutants possessing efficient transforming properties. Normal H-ras p21-[Gly12-Ala59] as well as an H-ras p21-[Gly12-Thr59] mutant exhibited in vitro GTPase activities at least fivefold higher than either H-ras p21-[Lys12-Ala59] or H-ras p21-[Arg12-Thr59] mutants. Microinjection of as much as 6 X 10(6) molecules/cell of bacterially expressed normal H-ras p21 induced no detectable alterations of NIH/3T3 cells. In contrast, inoculation of 4-5 X 10(5) molecules/cell of each p21 mutant induced morphologic alterations and stimulated DNA synthesis. Moreover, the transforming activity of each mutant expressed in a eukaryotic vector was similar and at least 100-fold greater than that of the normal H-ras gene. These findings establish that activation of efficient transforming properties by ras p21 proteins can occur by mechanisms not involving reduced in vitro GTPase activity.