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1: Science. 2005 Mar 18;307(5716):1746-52. Epub 2005 Feb 10.
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An acylation cycle regulates localization and activity of palmitoylated Ras isoforms.

Rocks O, Peyker A, Kahms M, Verveer PJ, Koerner C, Lumbierres M, Kuhlmann J, Waldmann H, Wittinghofer A, Bastiaens PI.

Department of Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11, 44227 Dortmund, Germany.

We show that the specific subcellular distribution of H- and Nras guanosine triphosphate-binding proteins is generated by a constitutive de/reacylation cycle that operates on palmitoylated proteins, driving their rapid exchange between the plasma membrane (PM) and the Golgi apparatus. Depalmitoylation redistributes farnesylated Ras in all membranes, followed by repalmitoylation and trapping of Ras at the Golgi, from where it is redirected to the PM via the secretory pathway. This continuous cycle prevents Ras from nonspecific residence on endomembranes, thereby maintaining the specific intracellular compartmentalization. The de/reacylation cycle also initiates Ras activation at the Golgi by transport of PM-localized Ras guanosine triphosphate. Different de/repalmitoylation kinetics account for isoform-specific activation responses to growth factors.

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PMID: 15705808 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]