Genetic and Molecular Analysis of Suppressors of Ras Mutations

Abstract

The goal of this research is to understand the regulation of Ras-mediated signaling in C. elegans vulval development. We describe the genetic and molecular characterization of two genes, sur-6 and sur-8, which both positively regulate Ras-mediated mediated signaling. Sur-6 (suppressor of Ras) was identified as a suppressor of the Multivulva phenotype caused by an activated let-60 Ras mutation. Genetic studies indicate that sur-6 is a non-essential, positively acting regulator of Ras-mediated signaling and it acts in a dosage-dependent manner. Sur-6 likely acts downstream of or in parallel to let-60 Ras and Upstream of lin-45 raf together with the ksr-1 at a branch point at the level of Ras or raf. We have cloned sur-6 and show that it encodes a highly conserved regulatory B subunit of the serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A. Sur-8 is defined by two loss-of-function alleles and genetic characterization indicates that, like sur-6, it plays a non-essential but activating role in Ras signaling downstream of or in parallel to let-60 Ras and Upstream of lin-45 raf. However, unlike sur-6, sur-8 most likely acts in a branch of the pathway distinct from sur-6 to regulate Ras signaling activity. Sur-8 has been cloned and is predicted to encode a novel protein.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1997
Accession Number
ADA340946

Entities

People

  • Derek Sieburth

Organizations

  • University of Colorado Boulder

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amino Acids
  • Animals
  • Cell Physiological Processes
  • Cells
  • Chemistry
  • Genes
  • Genetic Code
  • Genetic Structures
  • Genetics
  • Genome
  • Mutations
  • Neutral Amino Acids
  • Phenotypes
  • Regulations
  • Regulators
  • Suppressors
  • Threonine

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

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  • Molecular and genetic basis of cancer.
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Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology