Characterization of the mitogenic signal from an oncogene ras protein.

Wild-type or cellular RAS proteins function at the end of the G1 phase of the cell cycle, but they cannot signal quiescent cells to start cycling. By contrast, the oncogenic or "activated" RAS proteins produced by certain mutant ras genes can start quiescent cells cycling and appear to be involved in a large fraction of human cancers. One of these "activated" RAS proteins is the temperature-sensitive viral K-RAS protein produced by tsKSV-NRK rat kidney fibroblasts. Reactivating this viral K-RAS protein in serum-starved quiescent cells by lowering the temperature from a non-permissive 41 degrees C to a permissive 36 degrees C is a powerful mitogenic signal which starts the progression of cells through the various stages of the cell cycle even in the absence of serum growth factors. This first signal is associated with transient surges of cytosolic Ca2+ and membrane-associated protein kinase C activity, but is not mediated by signals from the protein-tyrosine kinase receptors of known K-RAS-induced autocrine mitogens such as TGF alpha and PDGF. While the importance of the Ca2+ transient is uncertain, the transient surge of membrane-associated protein kinase C activity appears to be involved in the process by which the viral RAS protein triggers the G0 to G1 transition. The need for the viral K-RAS protein does not end with this first signal. The protein also operates briefly at the end of the G1 phase and then, after chromosome replication, it also stimulates events necessary for the initiation of mitosis.