Functional analysis of CNK in RAS signaling

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1999 Nov 9;96(23):13259-63. doi: 10.1073/pnas.96.23.13259.

Abstract

Connector enhancer of KSR (CNK) is a multidomain protein required for RAS signaling. Its C-terminal portion (CNK(C-term)) directly binds to RAF. Herein, we show that the N-terminal portion of CNK (CNK(N-term)) strongly cooperates with RAS, whereas CNK(C-term) efficiently blocks RAS- and RAF-dependent signaling when overexpressed in the Drosophila eye. Two effector loop mutants of RAS(V12), S35 and C40, which selectively activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase pathways, respectively, do not cooperate with CNK. However, a strong cooperation is observed between CNK and RAS(V12G37), an effector loop mutant known in mammals to activate specifically the RAL pathway. We have identified two domains in CNK(N-term) that are critical for cooperation with RAS. Our results suggest that CNK functions in more than one pathway downstream of RAS. CNK(c-term) seems to regulate RAF, a component of the MAPK pathway, whereas CNK(N-term) seems to be involved in a MAPK-independent pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing*
  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / physiology*
  • Cell Line
  • Drosophila
  • Drosophila Proteins*
  • Eye / enzymology
  • Eye / metabolism
  • Eye / ultrastructure
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / physiology*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Mutation
  • Transfection
  • ras Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • CNK protein, Drosophila
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • ras Proteins