Scrape-loaded p21ras down-regulates agonist-stimulated inositol phosphate production by a mechanism involving protein kinase C.

The effect of scrape-loaded [Val-12]p21ras on agonist-stimulated phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) turnover in Swiss-3T3 cells was studied. Previously [Morris, Price, Lloyd, Marshall & Hall (1989) Oncogene 4, 27-31] we demonstrated that [Val-12]p21ras activates protein kinase C within 10 min of scrape loading. Here, we show that [Val-12]p21ras inhibits bombesin and platelet-derived growth factor-stimulated PIP2 breakdown 1.5-4 h after scrape loading. This effect persisted for at least 18 h and could be mimicked in control cells by activation of protein kinase C with 12-O-tetradecanoyl 13-acetate (TPA) 15 min prior to ligand stimulation. When protein kinase C was down-regulated by chronic TPA treatment, [Val-12]p21ras was no longer able to inhibit agonist-stimulated inositol phosphate production. These results indicate that changes in inositol phosphate levels caused by ras protein are probably due to activation of protein kinase C and not to an interaction of ras with phospholipase C.