A Molecular Redox Switch on p21

We have identified the site of molecular interaction between nitric oxide (NO) and p21ras responsible for initiation of signal transduction. We found that p21ras was singly S-nitrosylated and localized this modification to a fragment of p21ras containing Cys118. A mutant form of p21ras, in which Cys118 was changed to a serine residue and termed p21rasC118S, was not S-nitrosylated. NO-related species stimulated guanine nucleotide exchange on wild-type p21ras, resulting in an active form, but not on p21rasC118S. Furthermore, in contrast to parental Jurkat T cells, NO-related species did not stimulate mitogen-activated protein kinase activity in cells transfected with p21rasC118S. These data indicate that Cys118 is a critical site of redox regulation of p21ras, and S-nitrosylation of this residue triggers guanine nucleotide exchange and downstream signaling. We have identified the site of molecular interaction between nitric oxide (NO) and p21ras responsible for initiation of signal transduction. We found that p21ras was singly S-nitrosylated and localized this modification to a fragment of p21ras containing Cys118. A mutant form of p21ras, in which Cys118 was changed to a serine residue and termed p21rasC118S, was not S-nitrosylated. NO-related species stimulated guanine nucleotide exchange on wild-type p21ras, resulting in an active form, but not on p21rasC118S. Furthermore, in contrast to parental Jurkat T cells, NO-related species did not stimulate mitogen-activated protein kinase activity in cells transfected with p21rasC118S. These data indicate that Cys118 is a critical site of redox regulation of p21ras, and S-nitrosylation of this residue triggers guanine nucleotide exchange and downstream signaling.