The human Rab genes encode a family of GTP-binding proteins related to yeast YPT1 and SEC4 products involved in secretion

Seven cDNA clones corresponding to the rab1, rab2, rab3A, rab3B, rab4, rab5, and rab6 genes were isolated from a human pheochromocytoma cDNA library. They encode 23-25 kDa polypeptides which share approximately 30-50% homology and belong to the ras superfamily. The rab1, rab2, rab3A, and rab4 proteins are the human counterparts of the rat rab gene products that we have previously characterized. Comparison of the seven human rab proteins with the yeast YPT1 (YPT1p) and SEC4 (SEC4p) proteins reveals highly significant sequence similarities. H-rab1p shows 75% amino acid identity with YPT1p and may be therefore considered as its human counterpart. The other proteins share approximately 40% homology with YPT1p and SEC4p. The homology (approximately 30%) between these rab proteins and p21ras is restricted to the four conserved domains involved in the GTP/GDP binding. Human rab proteins were produced in Escherichia coli. Large amounts of rab proteins in soluble form can be extracted and purified without the use of detergents. All six proteins bind GTP and exhibit GTPase activities. A possible involvement of the rab proteins in secretion is discussed.     

ralGDS family members interact with the effector loop of ras p21.

Using a yeast two-hybrid system, we identified a novel protein which interacts with ras p21. This protein shares 69% amino acid homology with ral guanine nucleotide dissociation stimulator (ralGDS), a GDP/GTP exchange protein for ral p24. We designated this protein RGL, for ralGDS-like. Using the yeast two-hybrid system, we found that an effector loop mutant of ras p21 was defective in interacting with the ras p21-interacting domain of RGL, suggesting that this domain binds to ras p21 through the effector loop of ras p21. Since ralGDS contained a region highly homologous with the ras p21-interacting domain of RGL, we examined whether ralGDS could interact with ras p21. In the yeast two-hybrid system, ralGDS failed to interact with an effector loop mutant of ras p21. In insect cells, ralGDS made a complex with v-ras p21 but not with a dominant negative mutant of ras p21. ralGDS interacted with the GTP-bound form of ras p21 but not with the GDP-bound form in vitro. ralGDS inhibited both the GTPase-activating activity of the neurofibromatosis gene product (NF1) for ras p21 and the interaction of Raf with ras p21 in vitro. These results demonstrate that ralGDS specifically interacts with the active form of ras p21 and that ralGDS can compete with NF1 and Raf for binding to the effector loop of ras p21. Therefore, ralGDS family members may be effector proteins of ras p21 or may inhibit interactions between ras p21 and its effectors.     

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.     

Molecular cloning of the cDNA for stimulatory GDP/GTP exchange protein for smg p21s (ras p21-like small GTP-binding proteins) and characterization of stimulatory GDP/GTP exchange protein.

We have recently purified to near homogeneity the stimulatory GDP/GTP exchange protein for smg p21s (ras p21-like GTP-binding proteins) from bovine brain cytosol. This regulatory protein, named GDP dissociation stimulator (GDS), stimulates the GDP/GTP exchange reaction of smg p21s by stimulating the dissociation of GDP from and the subsequent binding of GTP to them. In this study, we have isolated and sequenced the cDNA of smg p21 GDS from a bovine brain cDNA library by using an oligonucleotide probe designed from the partial amino acid sequence of the purified smg p21 GDS. The cDNA has an open reading frame encoding a protein of 558 amino acids with a calculated Mr value of 61,066, similar to the Mr of 53,000 estimated for the purified smg p21 GDS by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation. The isolated cDNA is expressed in Escherichia coli, and the encoded protein exhibits smg p21 GDS activity. smg p21 GDS is overall hydrophilic, but there are several short hydrophobic regions. The smg p21 GDS mRNA is present in bovine brain and various rat tissues. smg p21 GDS has low amino acid sequence homology with the yeast CDC25 and SCD25 proteins, which may regulate the GDP/GTP exchange reaction of the yeast RAS2 protein, but not with ras p21 GTPase-activating protein, the inhibitory GDP/GTP exchange proteins (GDP dissociation inhibitor) for smg p25A and rho p21s, and the beta gamma subunits of heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins such as Gs and Gi.     

The ras superfamily proteins

Several recent discoveries indicate that the ras genes, frequently activated to a transforming potential in some human tumours, belong to a large family that can be divided into three main branches: the first branch represented by the ras, ral and rap genes; the second branch, by the rho genes; and the third branch, by the rab genes. The C-terminal end of the encoded proteins always includes a cystein, which may become fatty-acylated, suggesting a sub-membrane localization. The ras superfamily proteins share four regions of high homology corresponding to the GTP binding site; however, even in these regions, significant differences are found, suggesting that the various proteins may possess slightly different biochemical properties. Recent reports show that some of these proteins play an essential role in the control of physical processes such as cell motility, membrane ruffling, endocytosis and exocytosis. Nevertheless, the characterization of the proteins directly interacting with the ras or ras-related gene-products will be required to precisely understand their function.     

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.     

Molecular characterization of an Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA encoding a small GTP-binding protein, Rha1.

We have isolated a cDNA encoding a small GTP-binding protein from an Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA library using an oligonucleotide probe derived from the most conserved domain of the ras superfamily. The cDNA encodes a 21.8 kDa protein, designated Rha1, which shows high homology to members of the ras superfamily in the regions involved in GTP binding, GTPase activity, and membrane attachment. The amino acid sequence is 60% identical to the sequence of the mammalian Rab5 protein, a small GTP-binding protein which is believed to be involved in endocytosis. Several regions, including the putative effector domain are completely conserved. This high percentage of amino acid identity suggests that the Rha1 protein is the functional plant counterpart of the Rab5 protein. When expressed in E. coli, the Rha1 protein was shown to bind GTP. The rha1 gene is most highly expressed in root and callus tissue, weakly expressed in stems and inflorescences and virtually not expressed in leaves and seed pods. Genomic Southern analysis revealed that rha 1 is part of a small multigene family.     

Expression of the Aplysia californica rho gene in Escherichia coli: purification and characterization of its encoded p21 product.

A new family of highly conserved genes, designated rho, has recently been isolated and characterized (P. Madaule and R. Axel, Cell 41:31-40, 1985). These genes have been found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Drosophila melanogaster, rats, and humans, and their 21,000-dalton products are highly homologous. The rho p21 protein shares 35% amino acid homology with the Harvey ras p21 protein and on this basis has been proposed to be a G protein. We expressed the Aplysia californica rho gene in Escherichia coli and purified its p21 protein to more than 90% purity. The availability of the rho protein in high quantities made it possible to establish its high affinity for guanine nucleotides. The rho p21 protein had nucleotide-binding properties similar to those of the ras p21 protein. However, a comparison of these proteins revealed some important differences regarding their specificities and affinities. Finally, the rho p21 protein had GTPase activity almost identical to that of a normal ras p21 protein, the rates being 0.106 and 0.105 mol/min per mol of p21, respectively. Thus, the results suggest that the degree of homology found between the ras and rho genes products most likely is related to the conservation of sequences relevant to their ability to bind and hydrolyze guanine nucleotides. The fact that the rho p21 protein binds and hydrolyzes GTP strongly suggests that it is a G protein with a potential regulatory function conserved in evolution.     

Identification of amino acid residues required for Ras p21 target activation.

The Krev-1 gene has been shown to suppress ras-mediated transformation in vitro. Both ras and Krev-1 proteins have identical effector domains (ras residues 32 to 40), which are required for biological activity and for the interaction of Ras p21 with Ras GTPase-activating protein (GAP). In this study, five amino acid residues flanking the ras effector domain, which are not conserved with the Krev-1 protein, were shown to be required for normal protein-protein interactions and biological activity. The substitution of Krev-1 p21 residues 26, 27, 30, 31, and 45 with the corresponding amino acid residues from Ras p21 resulted in a Krev-1 protein which had ras function in both mammalian and yeast biological assays. Replacement of these residues in Ras p21 with the corresponding Krev-1 p21 amino acids resulted in ras proteins which were impaired biologically or reduced in their affinity for in vitro GAP binding. Evaluation of these mutant ras proteins have implications for Ras p21-GAP interactions in vivo.     

Characterization of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe ral2 gene implicated in activation of the ras1 gene product.

Mutations in the Schizosaccharomyces pombe ral2 gene cause a phenotype indistinguishable from that of the ras1-defective mutant. Using cloned ral2 DNA, we disrupted the chromosomal gene. The disruptants showed the same phenotype as the original ral2 isolates, i.e., they had spherical cells, had no detectable mating activity, and exhibited no response to the mating pheromone, but their vegetative growth was apparently normal. Sequence analysis of the ral2 gene suggests that it encodes a polypeptide of 611 amino acid residues whose predicted amino acid sequence shows no strong homology to any known protein. Either multiple copies or even a single copy of the ras1Val-17 allele, which is an activated form of ras1, restored rodlike cell morphology and ability to respond to the mating factor to ral2 mutants. These results suggest that the ral2 and ras1 gene products interact intimately and that the ral2 gene product is involved in activation of the ras1 protein in S. pombe.     

Low molecular weight GTP-binding proteins in hepatocytes and an assessment of the role of p21ras proteins in the activation of phospholipase D.

A GTP-binding protein with an apparent molecular weight of 25 kDa was detected in hepatocyte extracts using SDS-PAGE and [alpha-32P]GTP. p21ras proteins could only be detected by immunological analysis. The amounts of p21ras proteins present in isolated hepatocytes and in a highly purified preparation of liver plasma membrane vesicles were 0.3 and 4 ng p21ras protein/micrograms membrane protein, respectively. In comparison with the total cell extract, the degree of enrichment of plasma membrane vesicles with p21ras was similar to that of 5'-nucleotidase. The p21ras proteins were tightly associated with the membrane. Treatment of [3H]choline-labelled plasma membranes with an excess concentration of the anti-p21ras antibody Y13-259 failed to inhibit either basal or guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S])-stimulated [3H]choline release. It is concluded that in hepatocytes (a) the majority of p21ras is bound to the plasma membrane and (b) p21ras is not directly involved in the activation by GTP[S] of phospholipase D.     

Changes in ascorbic acid content and ascorbate peroxidase activity during the development of Acetabularia mediterranea

We cloned ras-related sequences from goldfish genomic libraries constructed as recombinants using the lambda phage. Restriction enzyme mapping of the clones obtained revealed three kinds of ras-related sequences among approximately 350,000 genomic clones. One of these clones was partially sequenced. Comparison with the nucleotide sequences of mammalian ras genes showed that the determined sequences covered the predicted amino acid coding regions and parts of the intervening regions. The predicted amino acid sequences of the cloned ras-related goldfish gene suggested that the coding region is localized separately in DNA, and that its exon-intron boundaries are exactly the same as those of corresponding mammalian genes. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the goldfish ras-related gene may have extensive homologies to mammalian p 21 protein. Among the three mammalian ras proteins, the predicted amino acid sequence of the sequenced ras-related goldfish clone is most closely homologous (96%) to the Kirsten ras protein. Differences in the predicted amino acid sequence were greatest in the sequence predicted from the fourth exon; fewer differences were found in the sequence from the third exon, and only slight or no differences were found in the sequence predicted for the first and second exons. The 12th and 61st amino acids from the N-terminal of the protein, which are thought to be critical positions for GTP binding and catalysis, are both conserved in the goldfish protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Molecular characterization of CDC42, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene involved in the development of cell polarity

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae CDC42 gene product is involved in the morphogenetic events of the cell division cycle; temperature-sensitive cdc42 mutants are unable to form buds and display delocalized cell-surface deposition at the restrictive temperature (Adams, A. E. M., D. I. Johnson, R. M. Longnecker, B. F. Sloat, and J. R. Pringle. 1990. J. Cell Biol. 111:131-142). To begin a molecular analysis of CDC42 function, we have isolated the CDC42 gene from a yeast genomic DNA library. The use of the cloned DNA to create a deletion of CDC42 confirmed that the gene is essential. Overexpression of CDC42 under control of the GAL10 promoter was not grossly deleterious to cell growth but did perturb the normal pattern of selection of budding sites. Determination of the DNA and predicted amino acid sequences of CDC42 revealed a high degree of similarity in amino acid sequence to the ras and rho (Madaule, P., R. Axel, and A. M. Myers. 1987. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 84:779-783) families of gene products. The similarities to ras proteins (approximately 40% identical or related amino acids overall) were most pronounced in the regions that have been implicated in GTP binding and hydrolysis and in the COOH-terminal modifications leading to membrane association, suggesting that CDC42 function also involves these biochemical properties. The similarities to the rho proteins (approximately 60% identical or related amino acids overall) were more widely distributed through the coding region, suggesting more extensive similarities in as yet undefined biochemical properties and functions.     

Transforming p21 ras protein: flexibility in the major variable region linking the catalytic and membrane-anchoring domains.

The mammalian p21 ras proteins contain a 20-amino acid region that is highly divergent, in contrast to the strong sequence conservation that is common to other regions of these proteins. This major variable region is located near the C terminus just upstream from a conserved cysteine residue that is required for post-translational processing, membrane localization and transforming activity of the proteins. We have now used the viral oncogene (v-rasH) of Harvey sarcoma virus to study the major variable region by deleting or duplicating parts of the gene. Reducing this region to five amino acids or increasing it to 50 amino acids has relatively little effect on the capacity of the gene to induce morphological transformation of NIH 3T3 cells. Assays of GTP binding, GTPase and autophosphorylating activities of such mutant v-rasH-encoded proteins synthesized in bacteria indicated that the sequences that encode these biochemical activities are located upstream from the major variable region. In the context of transformation, we propose that the region of sequence heterogeneity serves principally to connect the N-terminal catalytic domain with amino acids at the C terminus that are required to anchor the protein in the membrane.     

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.     

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.     

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)     

Structural and functional properties of ras proteins

The ras proteins belong to a family of related polypeptides that are present in all eukaryotic organisms from yeast to human. Their extraordinary evolutionary conservation suggests that they have essential cellular functions, although their exact role remains unknown. Mutations in specific amino acids and overexpression of normal proteins have been linked to altered proliferation and/or differentiation and, particularly, to neoplastic processes. Mature ras proteins are located on the inner side of the plasma membrane, and their biochemical properties include binding and exchange of guanine nucleotides and GTPase activity. The favored hypothesis for ras function is that these proteins exist in an equilibrium between an inactive conformation (p21.GDP) and an active conformation (p21. GTP) in which they are able to interact with their as yet unknown cellular target or targets. Similarities in cellular location, structure, and biochemistry with other known regulatory (G) proteins suggest that they play a role in transduction of signals from the cell surface. The elucidation of the crystal structure of normal and transforming ras proteins and the identification of cellular proteins that interact directly with them (GAP, CDC25) or suppress some of their biological effects (Krev-1) have opened new avenues in the search for their elusive cellular targets and in the elucidation of the functional role of ras gene products.     

Antibody of predetermined specificity to a carboxy-terminal region of H-ras gene products inhibits their guanine nucleotide-binding function.

The high prevalence of ras oncogenes in human tumors has given increasing impetus to efforts aimed at elucidating the structure and function of their p21 products. To identify functionally important domains of the p21 protein, antibodies were generated against synthetic peptides corresponding to various regions of the protein. Antibodies directed against a synthetic peptide fragment corresponding to amino acid residues 161 to 176 in the carboxy-terminal region of the H-ras-encoded p21 molecule specifically recognized H-ras-encoded p21 proteins. This antibody was also shown to strikingly and specifically inhibit the guanine nucleotide-binding function of the p21 protein. The inability of p21 protein to bind guanine nucleotides was associated with a lack of autophosphorylation or GTPase activities. These studies suggest that a region toward its carboxy terminus is directly or indirectly involved in the guanine nucleotide-binding function of the p21 molecule.     

Activation of cellular p21ras by myristoylation

p21ras is palmitoylated on a cysteine residue near the C-terminus. Changing Cys-186 to Ser in oncogenic forms produces a non-palmitoylated protein that fails to associate with membranes and does not transform NIH 3T3 cells. To examine whether palmitate acts in a general way to increase ras protein hydrophobicity, or is involved in more specific interactions between p21ras and membranes, we constructed genes that encode non-palmitoylated ras proteins containing myristic acid at their N-termini. Myristoylated, activated ras, without palmitate (61Leu/186Ser) exhibited both efficient membrane association and full transforming activity. Unexpectedly, we found that myristoylated forms of normal cellular ras were also potently transforming. Myristoylated c-ras retained the high GTP binding and GTPase characteristic of the cellular protein and, moreover, bound predominantly GDP in vivo. This implied that it continued to interact with GAP (GTPase-activating protein). While the membrane binding induced by myristate permitted transformation, only palmitate produced a normal (non-transforming) association of ras with membranes and must therefore regulate ras function by some unique property that myristate does not mimic. Myristoylation thus represents a novel mechanism by which the ras proto-oncogene protein can become transforming.