Isolation of a new protein factor required for activation of Raf-1 by Ha-Ras: partial purification from rat brain cytosols.

Ras-mediated signaling pathways play a critical role in cellular proliferation and differentiation. Although it has been demonstrated that Ras interacts with Raf-1 to stimulate the serine/threonine kinase activity of Raf-1, the precise mechanism by which Ras activates Raf-1 remains obscure. To address this question, we developed a cell-free system in which the activated form of H-Ras can induce Raf-1 activation. Using this system, we found the presence of a new protein factor, in cytosolic fractions of both human embryonic kidney 293 cells and rat brain tissues, that is required for Ras-dependent activation of Raf-1. The factor was purified from rat brain cytosols through successive column chromatographies on DEAE Sephacel, SP Sepharose and Sephacryl S-300. The approximate molecular weight of the activator was estimated as 400,000 by gel filtration. Its activity was sensitive to heat and trypsin treatments. The purified activator did not contain Src, 14-3-3, protein kinase C, JAK2 or Ksr-1, as judged by immunoblotting. Further characterization of the activator is underway.