Molecular cloning of a novel ras-like protein from chicken.

We have isolated a cDNA clone from a chicken DNA expression library which codes for a ras-like polypeptide of 216 amino acid residues. This polypeptide is closely related to the human protein TC4 and to the yeast protein Spil, two novel proteins that may be involved in the coordination of the cell cycle. In the amino-terminal region, the three polypeptides possess a P-loop motif characteristic of GTP-binding proteins. At the carboxy-terminal end, however, they lack the typical CAAX-box which is usually responsible for membrane anchorage of ras-like proteins. It is therefore likely that the three polypeptides define a new subclass of GTP-binding proteins within the ras-like superfamily.