ARAF

Last updated
ARAF
Protein ARAF PDB 1wxm.png
Available structures
PDB Ortholog search: PDBe RCSB
Identifiers
Aliases ARAF , A-Raf proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase, A-RAF, ARAF1, PKS2, RAFA1, Serine/threonine-protein kinase A-Raf
External IDs OMIM: 311010 MGI: 88065 HomoloGene: 1249 GeneCards: ARAF
Orthologs
SpeciesHumanMouse
Entrez
Ensembl
UniProt
RefSeq (mRNA)

NM_001256196
NM_001256197
NM_001654

NM_001159645
NM_009703

RefSeq (protein)

NP_001243125
NP_001243126
NP_001645
NP_001243125.1

NP_001153117
NP_033833

Location (UCSC) Chr X: 47.56 – 47.57 Mb Chr X: 20.66 – 20.73 Mb
PubMed search [3] [4]
Wikidata
View/Edit Human View/Edit Mouse

Serine/threonine-protein kinase A-Raf or simply A-Raf is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the ARAF gene. [5] A-Raf is a member of the Raf kinase family of serine/threonine-specific protein kinases. [6]

Contents

Compared to the other members of this family (Raf-1 and B-Raf), very little is known about A-Raf. It seems to share many of the properties of the other isoforms, but its biological functions are not as thoroughly researched. All three Raf proteins are involved in the MAPK signaling pathway.

There are several ways A-Raf is different from the other Raf kinases. A-Raf is the only steroid hormone-regulated Raf isoform. [7] In addition, the A-Raf protein has amino acid substitutions in a negatively charged region upstream of the kinase domain (N-region). This could be responsible for its low basal activity. [8]

Like Raf-1 and B-Raf, A-Raf activates MEK proteins which causes the activation of ERK and ultimately leads to cell cycle progression and cell proliferation. All three Raf proteins are located in the cytosol in their inactive state when bound to 14-3-3. In the presence of active Ras, they translocate to the plasma membrane. [9] Among the Ras kinase family, A-Raf has the lowest kinase activity towards MEK proteins in the Raf kinase family. [10] Thus, it is possible that A-Raf has other functions outside the MAPK pathway or that it helps the other Raf kinases activate the MAPK pathway. In addition to phosphorylating MEK, A-Raf also inhibits MST2, a tumor suppressor and proapoptotic kinase not found in the MAPK pathway. By inhibiting MST2, A-Raf can prevent apoptosis from occurring. However, this inhibition is only possible when the splice factor heterogenous nuclear ribonucleoprotein H (hnRNP H) maintains the expression of a full-length A-Raf protein. Tumorous cells often overexpress hnRNP H. When hnRNP H is downregulated, the A-RAF gene is alternatively spliced. This prevents the expression of full-length A-Raf protein. [11] Thus, overexpression of hnRNP H in tumor cells leads to full-length expression of A-Raf which then inhibits apoptosis, allowing cancerous cells that should be destroyed to stay alive.

A-Raf also binds to pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), again outside the MAPK pathway. PKM2 is an isozyme of pyruvate kinase that is responsible for the Warburg effect in cancer cells. [12] A-Raf upregulates the activity of PKM2 by promoting a conformational change in PKM2. This causes PKM2 to transition from its low-activity dimeric form to a highly active tetrameric form. In cancer cells, the ratio between dimeric and tetrameric forms of PKM2 determines what happens to glucose carbons. If PKM2 is in the dimeric form, glucose is channeled into synthetic processes such as nucleic acid, amino acid, or phospholipid synthesis. If A-Raf is present, PKM2 is more likely to be in the tetrameric form. This causes more glucose carbons to be converted to pyruvate and lactate, producing energy for the cell. Thus, A-Raf can be linked to energy metabolism regulation and cell transformation, both of which are very important in tumorigenesis. [13]

In addition, researchers have proposed a model of how A-Raf is linked to endocytosis. Upstream of A-Raf, receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are activated, leading to RAS-mediated activation of Raf kinases, including A-Raf. Once activated, A-Raf binds to membranes rich in Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns (4,5)P2 and signals endosomes. This leads to activation of ARF6, a central regulator of endocytic trafficking. [14]

Interactions

ARAF has been shown to interact with:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pyruvate kinase</span> Class of enzymes

Pyruvate kinase is the enzyme involved in the last step of glycolysis. It catalyzes the transfer of a phosphate group from phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) to adenosine diphosphate (ADP), yielding one molecule of pyruvate and one molecule of ATP. Pyruvate kinase was inappropriately named before it was recognized that it did not directly catalyze phosphorylation of pyruvate, which does not occur under physiological conditions. Pyruvate kinase is present in four distinct, tissue-specific isozymes in animals, each consisting of particular kinetic properties necessary to accommodate the variations in metabolic requirements of diverse tissues.

The MAPK/ERK pathway is a chain of proteins in the cell that communicates a signal from a receptor on the surface of the cell to the DNA in the nucleus of the cell.

c-Raf Mammalian protein found in Homo sapiens

RAF proto-oncogene serine/threonine-protein kinase, also known as proto-oncogene c-RAF or simply c-Raf or even Raf-1, is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the RAF1 gene. The c-Raf protein is part of the ERK1/2 pathway as a MAP kinase (MAP3K) that functions downstream of the Ras subfamily of membrane associated GTPases. C-Raf is a member of the Raf kinase family of serine/threonine-specific protein kinases, from the TKL (Tyrosine-kinase-like) group of kinases.

In molecular biology, extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) or classical MAP kinases are widely expressed protein kinase intracellular signalling molecules that are involved in functions including the regulation of meiosis, mitosis, and postmitotic functions in differentiated cells. Many different stimuli, including growth factors, cytokines, virus infection, ligands for heterotrimeric G protein-coupled receptors, transforming agents, and carcinogens, activate the ERK pathway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF kinase</span>

RAF kinases are a family of three serine/threonine-specific protein kinases that are related to retroviral oncogenes. The mouse sarcoma virus 3611 contains a RAF kinase-related oncogene that enhances fibrosarcoma induction. RAF is an acronym for Rapidly Accelerated Fibrosarcoma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MAPK1</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Mitogen-activated protein kinase 1, (MAPK 1), also known as ERK2, is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAPK1 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MAPK3</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Mitogen-activated protein kinase 3, also known as p44MAPK and ERK1, is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAPK3 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MAP2K1</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Dual specificity mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAP2K1 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MAP2K2</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Dual specificity mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 2 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAP2K2 gene. It is more commonly known as MEK2, but has many alternative names including CFC4, MKK2, MAPKK2 and PRKMK2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ELK1</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

ETS Like-1 protein Elk-1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ELK1. Elk-1 functions as a transcription activator. It is classified as a ternary complex factor (TCF), a subclass of the ETS family, which is characterized by a common protein domain that regulates DNA binding to target sequences. Elk1 plays important roles in various contexts, including long-term memory formation, drug addiction, Alzheimer's disease, Down syndrome, breast cancer, and depression.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MAP2K3</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Dual specificity mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 3 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAP2K3 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">YWHAB</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

14-3-3 protein beta/alpha is a protein that in humans is encoded by the YWHAB gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RPS6KA2</span> Enzyme found in humans

Ribosomal protein S6 kinase alpha-2 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the RPS6KA2 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RRAS</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Ras-related protein R-Ras is a protein that in humans is encoded by the RRAS gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MAP2K5</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Dual specificity mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 5 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAP2K5 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MAP3K4</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 4 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAP3K4 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PRPF6</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Pre-mRNA-processing factor 6 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PRPF6 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TIMM44</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Mitochondrial import inner membrane translocase subunit TIM44 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the TIMM44 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PKM2</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Pyruvate kinase isozymes M1/M2 (PKM1/M2), also known as pyruvate kinase muscle isozyme (PKM), pyruvate kinase type K, cytosolic thyroid hormone-binding protein (CTHBP), thyroid hormone-binding protein 1 (THBP1), or opa-interacting protein 3 (OIP3), is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the PKM2 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MAPK10</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Mitogen-activated protein kinase 10 also known as c-Jun N-terminal kinase 3 (JNK3) is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAPK10 gene.

References

  1. 1 2 3 GRCh38: Ensembl release 89: ENSG00000078061 - Ensembl, May 2017
  2. 1 2 3 GRCm38: Ensembl release 89: ENSMUSG00000001127 - Ensembl, May 2017
  3. "Human PubMed Reference:". National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
  4. "Mouse PubMed Reference:". National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
  5. "Entrez Gene: ARAF V-raf murine sarcoma 3611 viral oncogene homolog".
  6. Mark GE, Seeley TW, Shows TB, Mountz JD (September 1986). "Pks, a raf-related sequence in humans". Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 83 (17): 6312–6. doi: 10.1073/pnas.83.17.6312 . PMC   386493 . PMID   3529082.
  7. Lee, J. E.; Beck, T. W.; Wojnowski, L.; Rapp, U. R. (1996-04-18). "Regulation of A-raf expression". Oncogene. 12 (8): 1669–1677. ISSN   0950-9232. PMID   8622887.
  8. Baljuls, Angela; Mueller, Thomas; Drexler, Hannes C. A.; Hekman, Mirko; Rapp, Ulf R. (2007-09-07). "Unique N-region determines low basal activity and limited inducibility of A-RAF kinase: the role of N-region in the evolutionary divergence of RAF kinase function in vertebrates". The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 282 (36): 26575–26590. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M702429200 . ISSN   0021-9258. PMID   17613527.
  9. Mercer, Kathryn; Giblett, Susan; Oakden, Anthony; Brown, Jane; Marais, Richard; Pritchard, Catrin (2005-04-25). "A-Raf and Raf-1 work together to influence transient ERK phosphorylation and Gl/S cell cycle progression". Oncogene. 24 (33): 5207–5217. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1208707 . ISSN   0950-9232. PMID   15856007.
  10. Matallanas, David; Birtwistle, Marc; Romano, David; Zebisch, Armin; Rauch, Jens; Kriegsheim, Alexander von; Kolch, Walter (2011-03-01). "Raf Family Kinases Old Dogs Have Learned New Tricks". Genes & Cancer. 2 (3): 232–260. doi:10.1177/1947601911407323. ISSN   1947-6019. PMC   3128629 . PMID   21779496.
  11. Rauch, Jens; O'Neill, Eric; Mack, Brigitte; Matthias, Christoph; Munz, Markus; Kolch, Walter; Gires, Olivier (2010-02-15). "Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein H Blocks MST2-Mediated Apoptosis in Cancer Cells by Regulating a-raf Transcription". Cancer Research. 70 (4): 1679–1688. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-09-2740. ISSN   0008-5472. PMC   2880479 . PMID   20145135.
  12. Christofk, Heather R.; Vander Heiden, Matthew G.; Harris, Marian H.; Ramanathan, Arvind; Gerszten, Robert E.; Wei, Ru; Fleming, Mark D.; Schreiber, Stuart L.; Cantley, Lewis C. (2008-03-13). "The M2 splice isoform of pyruvate kinase is important for cancer metabolism and tumour growth". Nature. 452 (7184): 230–233. doi:10.1038/nature06734. ISSN   0028-0836. PMID   18337823. S2CID   16111842.
  13. Mazurek, Sybille; Drexler, Hannes C. A.; Troppmair, Jakob; Eigenbrodt, Erich; Rapp, Ulf R. (2007-11-01). "Regulation of Pyruvate Kinase Type M2 by A-Raf: A Possible Glycolytic Stop or Go Mechanism". Anticancer Research. 27 (6B): 3963–3971. ISSN   0250-7005. PMID   18225557.
  14. Nekhoroshkova, Elena; Albert, Stefan; Becker, Matthias; Rapp, Ulf R. (2009-02-27). "A-RAF Kinase Functions in ARF6 Regulated Endocytic Membrane Traffic". PLOS ONE. 4 (2): e4647. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0004647 . ISSN   1932-6203. PMC   2645234 . PMID   19247477.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 Yuryev A, Wennogle LP (February 2003). "Novel raf kinase protein-protein interactions found by an exhaustive yeast two-hybrid analysis". Genomics. 81 (2): 112–25. doi:10.1016/S0888-7543(02)00008-3. PMID   12620389.
  16. Yin XL, Chen S, Yan J, Hu Y, Gu JX (February 2002). "Identification of interaction between MEK2 and A-Raf-1". Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1589 (1): 71–6. doi: 10.1016/S0167-4889(01)00188-4 . PMID   11909642.
  17. 1 2 3 Yuryev A, Ono M, Goff SA, Macaluso F, Wennogle LP (July 2000). "Isoform-Specific Localization of A-RAF in Mitochondria". Mol. Cell. Biol. 20 (13): 4870–8. doi:10.1128/MCB.20.13.4870-4878.2000. PMC   85938 . PMID   10848612.
  18. Yin XL, Chen S, Gu JX (February 2002). "Identification of TH1 as an interaction partner of A-Raf kinase". Mol. Cell. Biochem. 231 (1–2): 69–74. doi:10.1023/A:1014437024129. PMID   11952167. S2CID   19362635.

Further reading