Deletions in the N-terminal coding region of the v-sis gene: determination of the minimal transforming region.

The gene product of the v-sis gene is closely related to the B chain of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). However, v-sis also encodes additional amino acids at its N and C termini, which are not represented in the sequence data of PDGF. We have constructed a series of N-terminal deletion mutants in the v-sis gene to define the minimum region required for transformation. These mutants were assayed for biological activity by using retroviral expression vectors which donate a signal sequence, required for translocation across the rough endoplasmic reticulum, to the mutant gene product. The minimal transforming region of the v-sis gene product defined by this analysis has 15 residues missing at the N terminus when compared with the PDGF-B chain. There are only two residues separating the closest transforming and nontransforming gene products. Mutant gene products lacking both the basic dipeptide processing site and the N-linked glycosylation site were found to be biologically active, indicating the dispensability of those processing steps. These results delimit the minimal transforming region of the v-sis gene product to residues 127 through 214, a total of 21 residues smaller than the PDGF-B chain.     

Deletions in the C-terminal coding region of the v-sis gene: dimerization is required for transformation.

The v-sis gene encodes chain B of platelet-derived growth factor. However, this gene codes for additional amino acids at both the N terminus and the C terminus of its gene product which are not present in the amino acid sequence of platelet-derived growth factor. We constructed a series of deletion mutants with deletions in the v-sis gene in order to define the C-terminal limit of the v-sis gene product which is required for transformation. Deletion mutants of the v-sis gene which encoded truncated gene products up to 57 residues shorter than the v-siswt gene product were still able to transform cells. The minimal transforming region of the v-sis gene product contained six residues fewer than were present in chain B of platelet-derived growth factor. Only 10 residues, including the sequence Cys-Lys-Cys, separated the smallest transforming gene product from the largest nontransforming gene product. These cysteine residues were also important for dimerization of the v-sis gene product, since all of the nontransforming v-sis deletions were unable to form dimers when they were analyzed under nonreducing conditions. Our results suggest that there is a strong connection between transformation and dimerization.     

Identification of a signal for nuclear targeting in platelet-derived-growth-factor-related molecules.

The v-vis gene encodes p28sis, the transforming protein of simian sarcoma virus. This gene resulted from a fusion of the env gene of simian sarcoma-associated virus and the woolly monkey gene for the B chain of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Previous work has shown that the v-sis gene product undergoes signal sequence cleavage, glycosylation, dimerization, and proteolytic processing to yield a secreted form of the protein. It transport across the endoplasmic reticulum is blocked by the introduction of a charged amino acid residue within the signal sequence, the protein does not dimerize, is not secreted, and is no longer transforming as assayed by focus-forming ability in NIH 3T3 cells. Instead, this mutant protein localizes to the nucleus as demonstrated by both indirect immunofluorescence and cell fractionation. Using a series of deletion mutations, we delimited an amino acid sequence within this protein which is responsible for nuclear localization. This region is completely conserved in the predicted human c-sis protein, although it lies outside of regions required for transformation by the v-sis gene product. This nuclear transport signal is contained within amino acid residues 237 to 255, RVTIRTVRVRRPPKGKHRK. An amino acid sequence containing these residues is capable of directing cytoplasmic v-sis mutant proteins to the nucleus. This sequence is also capable of directing less efficient nuclear transport of a normally cytoplasmic protein, pyruvate kinase. Pulse-chase experiments indicate that the half-lives of nuclear and cytoplasmic v-sis mutant proteins are approximately 35 min. Using the heat-inducible hsp70 promoter from Drosophila melanogaster, we showed that the nuclear v-sis protein accumulates in the nucleus within 30 min of induction. The identification of a nuclear transport signal in the v-sis gene product raises interesting questions regarding the possibility of some function for PDGF or PDGF-related molecules in the nucleus.     

Identification of nonessential disulfide bonds and altered conformations in the v-sis protein, a homolog of the B chain of platelet-derived growth factor.

The protein encoded by v-sis, the oncogene of simian sarcoma virus, is homologous to the B chain of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). There are eight conserved Cys residues between PDGF-B and the v-sis protein. Both native PDGF and the v-sis protein occur as disulfide-bonded dimers, probably containing both intramolecular and intermolecular disulfide bonds. Oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis was used to change the Cys codons to Ser codons in the v-sis gene. Four single mutants lacked detectable biological activity, indicating that Cys-127, Cys-160, Cys-171, and Cys-208 are required for formation of a biologically active v-sis protein. The other four single mutants retained biological activity as determined in transformation assays, indicating that Cys-154, Cys-163, Cys-164, and Cys-210 are dispensable for biological activity. Double and triple mutants containing three of these altered sites were constructed, some of which were transforming as well. The v-sis proteins encoded by biologically active mutants displayed significantly reduced levels of dimeric protein compared with the wild-type v-sis protein, which dimerized very efficiently. Furthermore, a mutant with a termination codon at residue 209 exhibited partial transforming activity. This study thus suggests that the minimal region required for transformation consists of residues 127 to 208. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis indicated that the v-sis proteins encoded by some of the biologically active mutants exhibited an altered conformation when compared with the wild-type v-sis protein, and suggested that Cys-154 and Cys-163 participate in a nonessential disulfide bond.     

A small v-sis/platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) B-protein domain in which subtle conformational changes abrogate PDGF receptor interaction and transforming activity.

Deletion scanning mutagenesis within the transforming region of the v-sis oncogene was used to dissect structure-function relationships. Mutations affecting codons within a domain encoding amino acids 136 through 148 had no effect upon homodimer formation or recognition by antisera which detect determinants dependent upon native intrachain disulfide linkages, yet the same mutations completely abolished transforming activity. A platelet-derived growth factor B (PDGF B) monoclonal antibody that prevents its interaction with PDGF receptors recognized v-sis, delta 142 (deletion of codon 142), and delta 148 but not delta 136, delta 137, or delta 139 mutants. These findings mapped the epitope recognized by this monoclonal antibody to include amino acid residues 136 to 139. Furthermore, mutations in the codon 136 to 148 domain caused markedly impaired ability to induce PDGF receptor tyrosine phosphorylation. Thus, subtle conformational alterations in this small domain critically affect PDGF receptor recognition and/or functional activation.     

Cloning,expression, characterization,and role in autocrine cell growth of cell surface retention sequence binding protein-1

Cell surface retention sequence binding protein-1 (CRSBP-1) is a cell surface binding protein for the cell surface retention sequence (CRS) motif of the v-sis gene product (platelet-derived growth factor-BB). It has been shown to be responsible for cell surface retention of the v-sis gene product in v-sis-transformed cells (fibroblasts) and has been hypothesized to play a role in autocrine growth and transformation of these cells. Here we demonstrate that the CRSBP-1 cDNA cloned from bovine liver libraries encodes a 322-residue type I membrane protein containing a 23-residue signal peptide, a 215-residue cell surface domain, a 21-residue transmembrane domain, and a 63-residue cytoplasmic domain. CRSBP-1 expressed in transfected cells is an approximately 120-kDa disulfide-linked homodimeric glycoprotein and exhibits dual ligand (CRS-containing growth regulators (v-sis gene product and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3, IGFBP-3) and hyaluronic acid) binding activity. CRSBP-1 overexpression (by stable transfection of cells with CRSBP-1 cDNA) enhances autocrine loop signaling, cell growth, and tumorigenicity (in mice) of v-sis-transformed cells. CRSBP-1 expression also enhances autocrine cell growth mediated by IGFBP-3 in human lung carcinoma cells (H1299 cells), which express very little, if any, endogenous CRSBP-1 and exhibits a mitogenic response to exogenous IGFBP-3, stably transfected with IGFBP-3 cDNA. However, CRSBP-1 overexpression does not affect growth of normal and transformed cells that do not produce these CRS-containing growth regulators. These results suggest that CRSBP-1 plays a role in autocrine regulation of cell growth mediated by growth regulators containing CRS.     

Cell surface expression of membrane-anchored v-sis gene products: glycosylation is not required for cell surface transport

The v-sis gene is able to transform cells by production of a growth factor that is structurally related to platelet-derived growth factor. This growth factor has been detected in the conditioned media of v-sis transformed cells, and is able to stimulate the autophosphorylation of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor. We have used the v-sis gene product to analyze the role of protein-encoded signals in cell surface transport. We constructed several gene fusions that encode transmembrane forms of the v-sis gene product. These membrane-anchored forms of the v-sis gene product are properly folded into a native structure, as indicated by their dimerization, glycosylation, and NH2- terminal proteolytic processing. Indirect immunofluorescence demonstrated that several of these membrane-anchored gene products are transported to the cell surface. Removal of the N-linked glycosylation site from the v-sis gene product did not prevent cell surface transport. Several of these mutant genes are able to induce focus formation in NIH3T3 cells, providing further evidence that the membrane- anchored proteins are properly folded. These results demonstrate that N- linked glycosylation is not required for the cell surface transport of a protein that is in a native, biologically active conformation. These results provide a correlation between cell surface expression of the membrane-anchored v-sis gene products and transformation.     

The c-sis gene encodes a precursor of the B chain of platelet-derived growth factor.

The relationship between platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and the proto-oncogene c-sis has been determined by amino acid sequence analysis of PDGF and nucleotide sequence analysis of c-sis genomic clones. The nucleotide sequences of five regions of the human c-sis gene which are homologous to sequences of the transforming region (v-sis) of simian sarcoma virus (SSV) were determined. By alignment of the c-sis and v-sis nucleotide sequences the predicted amino acid sequence of a polypeptide homologous to the putative transforming protein p28sis of SSV was deduced. Both predicted sequences use the same termination codon and additional coding sequences may lie 5' to the homologous regions. Amino acid sequence analysis of the PDGF B chain shows identity to the amino acid sequence predicted from the c-sis sequences over 109 amino acid residues. Polymorphism may exist at two amino acid residues. These results suggest that c-sis encodes a polypeptide precursor of the B chain. A partial amino acid sequence of the PDGF A chain is also described. This chain is 60% homologous to the B chain and cannot be encoded by that part of c-sis which has been sequenced but could be encoded by sequences which lie 5' to the five regions of v-sis homology in c-sis, or at a separate locus.     

Intracellular turnover, novel secretion, and mitogenically active intracellular forms of v-sis gene product in simian sarcoma virus-transformed cells. Implications for intracellular loop autocrine transformation

In simian sarcoma virus (SSV)-transformed cells (SSV-NRK, SSV-NIH 3T3, and SSV-NP1 cells), the v-sis gene product was synthesized as a 36-kDa glycopolypeptide with one endoglycosidase (Endo) H-sensitive oligosaccharide chain and formed a dimer (p72) with a half-time of less than 5 min. p72 was proteolytically processed to generate sequentially p68 and p58 in the endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi complex, p44 in the post-Golgi complex compartments, and p27 in an endosomal/lysosomal compartment. A portion (20-30%) of p72 and p68 later became Endo H-resistant but Endo F-sensitive. During processing, the v-sis gene products exhibited rapid turnover, possibly in the endoplasmic reticulum and/or Golgi complex. The rate of turnover correlated with the tumorigenicity previously reported in these SSV-transformed cells. All three SSV-transformed cells secreted v-sis gene product (p44). p44 was secreted but remained tightly associated with the cell surface. This novel secretion provided an efficient system for the interaction of p44 with the cell surface platelet-derived growth factor receptor which resulted in the intracellular formation of p27. A fraction of secreted p44 was converted extracellularly to a 27-kDa product (extracellular p27) after a longer time in culture. The identical N-terminal amino acid sequence of p44 and extracellular p27 (H2N-SLGSLSVAEPAMIA) indicated a preferential site (Lys110-Arg111) for the proteolytic processing. The intracellular turnover of the v-sis gene product and its correlation with tumorigenicity as well as the demonstration of mitogenically active intracellular forms of v-sis gene product support the hypothesis of intracellular loop autocrine transformation.     

Cell surface retention sequence binding protein-1 interacts with the v-sis gene product and platelet-derived growth factor beta-type receptor in simian sarcoma virus-transformed cells

The cell surface retention sequence (CRS) binding protein-1 (CRSBP-1) is a newly identified membrane glycoprotein which is hypothesized to be responsible for cell surface retention of the oncogene v-sis and c-sis gene products and other secretory proteins containing CRSs. In simian sarcoma virus-transformed NIH 3T3 cells (SSV-NIH 3T3 cells), a fraction of CRSBP-1 was demonstrated at the cell surface and underwent internalization/recycling as revealed by cell surface 125I labeling and its resistance/sensitivity to trypsin digestion. However, the majority of CRSBP-1 was localized in intracellular compartments as evidenced by the resistance of most of the 35S-metabolically labeled CRSBP-1 to trypsin digestion, and by indirect immunofluorescent staining. CRSBP-1 appeared to form complexes with proteolytically processed forms (generated at and/or after the trans-Golgi network) of the v-sis gene product and with a approximately 140-kDa proteolytically cleaved form of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) beta-type receptor, as demonstrated by metabolic labeling and co-immunoprecipitation. CRSBP-1, like the v-sis gene product and PDGF beta-type receptor, underwent rapid turnover which was blocked in the presence of 100 microM suramin. In normal and other transformed NIH 3T3 cells, CRSBP-1 was relatively stable and did not undergo rapid turnover and internalization/recycling at the cell surface. These results suggest that in SSV-NIH 3T3 cells, CRSBP-1 interacts with and forms ternary and binary complexes with the newly synthesized v-sis gene product and PDGF beta-type receptor at the trans-Golgi network and that the stable binary (CRSBP-1.v-sis gene product) complex is transported to the cell surface where it presents the v-sis gene product to unoccupied PDGF beta-type receptors during internalization/recycling.     

Nucleotide sequence analysis identifies the human c-sis proto-oncogene as a structural gene for platelet-derived growth factor

The simian sarcoma virus transforming gene, v-sis, encodes a protein, p28sis , that is closely related to human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). The human locus related to v-sis was cloned and shown to contain at least five exons corresponding to the v-sis coding region. Nucleotide sequence analysis of these exons revealed that the predicted amino acid sequence of human c-sis differed by 6% from that of the woolly monkey-derived v-sis. These findings imply that the sis proto-oncogene has been well conserved during primate evolution. By comparison of the known amino acid sequences of PDGF peptides with the predicted human c-sis protein, it was possible to demonstrate that this human proto-oncogene is the structural gene encoding one of the two major polypeptides of this potent mitogen for connective tissue cells.     

Cytolytic T cells recognize the two amino-terminal domains of H-2 K antigens in tandem in influenza A infected cells

Simian sarcoma virus-transformed NIH 3T3 (SSV-NIH 3T3) and SSV-NRK cells secrete a potent growth-promoting activity identical with the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in mitogenic assays. The secreted activity is blocked by anti-PDGF antisera and competes with 125I-PDGF for receptor binding, suggesting that the secreted protein is the transforming protein of SSV, p28v-sis, or its processed product. Secreted p28v-sis appears to stimulate autocrine cell growth of SSV-transformed cells because anti-PDGF antisera block 3H-thymidine incorporation into growing SSV-NIH 3T3 and SSV-NRK cells. SSV-transformed cells have reduced numbers of high-affinity 125I-PDGF receptors; PDGF/p28v-sis receptor was purified from SSV-NIH 3T3 cells and retained active protein tyrosine kinase activity stimulated by PDGF. The rate of tumor growth in athymic nude mice injected with SSV-transformed cells was compared with levels of secreted growth factor activity. The rate of tumor growth in nude mice correlated directly with levels of p28v-sis secreted by SSV-transformed cells.     

A v-sis oncogene protein produced in bacteria competes for platelet-derived growth factor binding to its receptor

The oncogene of simian sarcoma virus, v-sis, encodes a protein which is homologous to human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). This v-sis-encoded protein was expressed in bacteria using an inducible promotor of lambda phage. Soluble extracts from these bacteria contained a substance which competed with 125I-PDGF for PDGF receptor sites in fibroblast membranes. The receptor competition activity was correlated with the presence of the v-sis-encoded protein as assessed by genetic and immunochemical criteria. These results directly demonstrate that the v-sis oncogene product is functionally related to PDGF.     

Rapid turnover of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor in sis-transformed cells and reversal by suramin. Implications for the mechanism of autocrine transformation

In cells transformed by either v-sis or c-sis, the majority of the newly synthesized platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptors fail to reach the cell surface and are rapidly degraded. This rapid turnover (t1/2 less than 30 min) appears to result from interaction of the sis gene product with the PDGF receptor in the endoplasmic reticulum and/or Golgi apparatus during their intracellular routing from the endoplasmic reticulum to the plasma membrane or extracellular compartment. Several lines of evidence support this hypothesis. 1) Both the 160-kDa precursor and the intracellular 180-kDa mature form of the PDGF receptor possessed ligand binding activity for PDGF; 2) both the 160-kDa precursor and the 180-kDa mature form of the receptor in sis-transformed cells were found to be activated (phosphorylated); 3) protamine, a competitive inhibitor for PDGF or v-sis gene product binding to the cell-surface receptor, did not affect the rapid turnover of the PDGF receptor in sis-transformed cells; 4) suramin, an inhibitor for PDGF or v-sis gene product binding to the PDGF receptor, not only reversed the rapid turnover of the PDGF receptor in sis-transformed cells, but also increased the secretion of sis gene products; and 5) rapid turnover of the PDGF receptor was only observed in sis-transformed cells but not in cells transformed by other oncogenes. We suggest that the persistence of a mitogenic signal from cellular organelles, arising from the intracellular interaction of sis gene products with newly synthesized PDGF receptors, is the mechanism for autocrine transformation by sis.     

Structure of the murine c-sis proto-oncogene (Sis, PDGFB) encoding the B chain of platelet-derived growth factor

The murine proto-oncogene c-sis (Sis, PDGFB), encoding the B chain of platelet-derived growth factor, has been cloned. Its structure, with seven exons spanning approximately 20 kb, closely resembles that of the human and feline homologs. The predicted amino acid sequence of murine PDGF-B has residues 89% identical to those of human PDGF-B. A noncoding region at the start of exon 7, which is deleted by alternative splicing during the generation of the viral v-sis oncogene, is highly conserved in human, mouse, and cat and may represent an important regulatory element.     

N Terminus of Sos1 Ras Exchange Factor: Critical Roles for the Dbl and Pleckstrin Homology Domains

We have studied the functional importance of the N terminus of mouse Sos1 (mSos1), a ubiquitously expressed Ras-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor whose C-terminal sequences bind Grb-2. Consistent with previous reports, addition of a myristoylation signal to mSos1 (MyrSos1) rendered it transforming for NIH 3T3 cells and deletion of the mSos C terminus (MyrSos1-ΔC) did not interfere with this activity. However, an N-terminally deleted myristoylated mSos1 protein (MyrSos1-ΔN) was transformation defective, although the protein was stable and localized to the membrane. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to examine the role of the Dbl and pleckstrin homology (PH) domains located in the N terminus. When mutations in the PH domain were introduced into two conserved amino acids either singly or together in MyrSos1 or MyrSos1-ΔC, the transforming activity was severely impaired. An analogous reduction in biological activity was seen when a cluster of point mutations was engineered into the Dbl domain. The mitogen-activation protein (MAP) kinase activities induced by the various Dbl and PH mutants of MyrSos1 correlated with their biological activities. When NIH 3T3 cells were transfected with a myristoylated Sos N terminus, their growth response to epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor, lysophosphatidic acid or serum was greatly impaired. The dominant inhibitory biological activity of the N terminus correlated with its ability to impair EGF-dependent activation of GTP-Ras and of MAP kinase, as well with the ability of endogenous Sos to form a stable complex with activated EGF receptors. The N terminus with mutations in the Dbl and PH domains was much less inhibitory in these biological and biochemical assays. In contrast to wild-type Sos1, nonmyristoylated versions of Sos1-ΔN and Sos1-ΔC did not form a stable complex with activated EGF receptors. We conclude that the Dbl and PH domains are critical for Sos function and that stable association of Sos with activated EGF receptors requires both the Sos N and C termini.     

Identification of amino acid residues essential for catalytic activity of gentisate 1,2-dioxygenase from Pseudomonas alcaligenes NCIB 9867

Gentisate 1,2-dioxygenase (GDO, EC 1.13.11.4) is a ring cleavage enzyme that utilizes gentisate as a substrate yielding maleylpyruvate as the ring fission product. Mutant GDOs were generated by both random mutagenesis and site-directed mutagenesis of the gene cloned from Pseudomonas alcaligenes NCIB 9867. Alignment of known GDO sequences indicated the presence of a conserved central core region. Mutations generated within this central core resulted in the complete loss of enzyme activity whereas mutations in the flanking regions yielded GDOs with enzyme activities that were reduced by up to 78%. Site-directed mutagenesis was also performed on a pair of highly conserved HRH and HXH motifs found within this core region. Conversion of these His residues to Asp resulted in the complete loss of catalytic activity. Mutagenesis within the core region could have affected quaternary structure formation as well as cofactor binding. A mutant enzyme with increased catalytic activities was also characterized.     

The epidermal growth factor receptor juxtamembrane domain has multiple basolateral plasma membrane localization determinants,including a dominant signal with a polyproline core

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor is located predominantly in the basolateral membrane of polarized epithelia, where it plays a pivotal role during organogenesis and tissue homeostasis. We have shown previously that a 22-amino acid sequence in the EGF receptor juxtamembrane domain contains autonomous sorting information necessary for basolateral localization using the Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cell model. The goal of this study was to determine the molecular basis of EGF receptor basolateral membrane expression using site-directed mutagenesis to modify specific residues in this region. We now show that this sequence has two different, functionally redundant basolateral sorting signals with distinct amino acid requirements: one dependent on residues (658)LL(659) conforming to well-characterized leucine-based sorting signals, and a second containing a polyproline core comprising residues Pro(667) and Pro(670) ((667)PXXP(670)). Our data also suggest that Arg(662) contributes to the function of the proline-based signal. (667)PXXP(670) was the dominant signal when both motifs were present and was more effective than (658)LL(659) at overriding strong apical sorting signals located in the same molecule. Site-directed mutations at Arg(662), Pro(667), and Pro(670) were also associated with increased apical expression of full-length EGF receptors, demonstrating for the first time that the juxtamembrane region is necessary for accurate polarized expression of the native molecule.