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Characterization of pp85, a target of oncogenes and growth factor receptors

B Cohen1, Y X Liu, B Druker

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Tufts University Health Sciences Campus, Boston, Massachusetts 02111.

Insights

An 85,000-molecular-weight polypeptide (85K polypeptide) with phosphatidylinositol kinase activity is a common substrate for tyrosine phosphorylation. Its varied forms and phosphorylation levels change in response to viral transformation and growth factor stimulation.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular biology
  • Molecular oncology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • An 85,000-molecular-weight polypeptide (85K polypeptide) is a known substrate for tyrosine phosphorylation.
  • This phosphorylation occurs during polyomavirus middle T antigen transformation and platelet-derived growth factor stimulation.
  • The 85K polypeptide, also known as pp85, exhibits associated phosphatidylinositol kinase activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the tissue distribution of pp85.
  • To characterize the different forms of pp85 using high-resolution techniques.
  • To analyze the phosphorylation status and complex formation of pp85 in response to specific cellular stimuli.

Main Methods:

  • Middle T blotting experiments were used to determine tissue distribution.
  • Isoelectric focusing was employed for high-resolution examination of 85K polypeptide forms.
  • Immunoprecipitation with anti-phosphotyrosine antibody and pulse-chase experiments were utilized to study phosphorylation and complex formation.

Main Results:

  • Highest levels of pp85 were detected in brain, lung, and spleen tissues.
  • Isoelectric focusing revealed at least 10 forms of 85K, resolving into 85K and 86K families with varying ratios in different cells.
  • pp85 and pp86 showed increased phosphorylation upon middle T or pp60v-src transformation, and pp85 formed a dissociable complex with middle T rapidly.

Conclusions:

  • The 85K polypeptide (pp85) is a widely distributed protein with complex isoforms and dynamic phosphorylation.
  • Its interaction with middle T antigen and pp60c-src is crucial in viral transformation pathways.
  • pp85's enzymatic activity and regulatory modifications highlight its significance in cellular signaling.

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