Cytosolic malic dehydrogenase activity is associated with a putative substrate for the transforming gene product of Rous sarcoma virus.

A cellular protein of apparent Mr 34,000--36,000 was suggested as a possible physiological substrate for the protein kinase (EC 2.7.1.37) activity associated with the transforming gene product of Rous sarcoma virus. We find this protein to migrate with an apparent Mr of 38,000 in NaDodSO4/polyacrylamide gels. It was not separable from cytosolic malic dehydrogenase activity when purified by chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel, hydroxylapatite, poly(A)-Sepharose, and blue Sepharose, by gel filtration, and by isoelectric focusing. The Mr 38,000 protein as well as cytosolic malic dehydrogenase activity focused with a pI of 7.5. In gel filtration experiments, both displayed an apparent native Mr of 68,000. The male dehydrogenase activity contained in homogeneous preparations of the Mr 38,000 protein had a specific activity of up to 130 units/mg of protein. The recovery of the enzyme was 5--10% of the activity in the extract. Antiserum against the Mr 38,000 protein inactivated the malic dehydrogenase activity associated with the Mr 38,000 protein.