Induction of ras gene expression by homologous aggregation factor in cells from the sponge Geodia cydonium

Northern blot data as well as immunocytochemical and immunoblotting experiments indicate that the sponge Geodia cydonium contains the ras gene (or ras-related gene). The ras gene transcript has a size of 1.5 kilobases and the ras gene product has an Mr of 23,000-26,000. While dissociated G. cydonium cells lack ras gene product, ras gene expression can be induced by incubating the cells with the cell-binding fragment of the homologous aggregation factor. Maximal expression was observed 10-15 h after addition of the fragment. The sponge ras protein was partially purified by immunoprecipitation and bound GTP with a dissociation constant of 1.8 x 10(-6) M. It was found to be associated with the cell membrane. Autoradiographic studies revealed that the ras protein binds to the plasma membrane-associated anti-aggregation receptor and thereby mediates the mitogenic response, caused by the homologous lectin. It is hypothesized that sponges are provided in addition to the aggregation factor-caused and protein kinase C-mediated pathway with a second mechanism of transduction of mitotic signals, the lectin-caused and ras-mediated signaling.