Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Identification of Post-translational Modifications of Plant Protein Complexes
Published on: February 22, 2014
Processing of p60v-src to its myristylated membrane-bound form
Abstract:
p60src of wild-type Rous sarcoma virus is myristylated at its N-terminal glycine residue. We have shown previously that this myristylation is necessary for p60src membrane association and for cell transformation by using src mutants with alterations within the N-terminal 30 kilodaltons of p60src. In this study we analyzed the process of p60src myristylation in wild type- and mutant-infected cells. All myristylated src proteins examined lack the initiator methionine, but two mutant src proteins lacking the initiator methionine are not myristylated, indicating that removal of the initiator methionine and myristylation are not obligatorily coupled. Analysis of the kinetics of myristylation and the association of p60src with cellular proteins p50 and p90 indicated that myristylation occurs before p60src becomes membrane associated and that transient association with p50 and p90 occurs regardless of myristylation. Myristylation is required for stable association of p60src with the plasma membrane but is not sufficient for membrane association. A mutant with an src deletion of amino acids 169 through 264 has an src protein that is myristylated but not membrane bound, remaining stably associated with p50 and p90. This mutant is transformation defective. Several N-terminal deletion mutants possessing tyrosine kinase activity have myristylated and membrane-bound src proteins but are not fully active in cell transformation, suggesting that additional N-terminal functional domains exist.
Insights
Myristoylation of Rous sarcoma virus p60src protein is crucial for its membrane association and cell transformation. This lipid modification occurs before membrane binding and is required for stable plasma membrane association.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- p60src protein from Rous sarcoma virus is myristoylated at its N-terminal glycine residue.
- Myristoylation is essential for p60src membrane association and cell transformation.
- Previous studies utilized src mutants with alterations in the N-terminal 30 kilodaltons.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the process of p60src myristoylation in wild-type and mutant-infected cells.
- To investigate the relationship between initiator methionine removal and myristoylation.
- To determine the role of myristoylation in p60src membrane association and interaction with cellular proteins.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of myristoylated src proteins in wild-type and mutant Rous sarcoma virus-infected cells.
- Kinetics studies of myristoylation and p60src association with p50 and p90 proteins.
- Examination of src mutants with specific deletions (e.g., amino acids 169-264) and N-terminal deletions.
Main Results:
- Removal of the initiator methionine is not obligatorily coupled with myristoylation.
- Myristoylation precedes membrane association of p60src.
- Transient association with p50 and p90 occurs independently of myristoylation.
- Myristoylation is necessary but not sufficient for stable plasma membrane association.
- A specific src deletion mutant (169-264) is myristoylated, membrane-unbound, transformation-defective, and stably associated with p50/p90.
- N-terminal deletion mutants with tyrosine kinase activity can be myristoylated and membrane-bound but show reduced transformation activity.
Conclusions:
- Myristoylation is a critical step for p60src membrane localization and function.
- Additional N-terminal domains beyond the myristoylation site are involved in full cell transformation.
- The N-terminal region of p60src contains multiple functional domains regulating its activity and localization.
Related Concept Videos
Mitochondrial Precursor Proteins
Most of the mitochondrial precursors...
Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria
Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...
Directing Proteins to the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
GPI Anchoring of Proteins in the ER Membrane
GPI-anchor structure
A sequence of 11 enzymatic reactions results in the synthesis of the complete GPI anchor consisting of a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic portion. The hydrophobic portion comprises phosphatidylinositol, while the hydrophilic part comprises polar groups like phosphoethanolamine,...
Post-translational Translocation of Proteins to the RER
Targeting proteins to the ER
Hsp40 and Hsp70 chaperone molecules bind the translated proteins in the cytosol to prevent their folding. The chaperone binding helps to keep the signal...
Export of Misfolded Proteins out of the ER

