Homology between phosphotyrosine acceptor site of human c-abl and viral oncogene products
Abstract:
The human homologues of several independent viral oncogenes, each of which encodes tyrosine-specific protein kinases, have been identified. Of these, three (v-src, v-yes and v-fes/fps) are known to exhibit considerable sequence homology, particularly in the regions of their phosphorylation acceptor sites. In the present study, sequences encoding the tyrosine phosphorylation acceptor sites of the Abelson murine leukaemia virus oncogene, v-abl, and its human cellular homologue, c-abl, have been identified and their nucleic acid sequences determined. Our results establish extensive homology between this region of c-abl and acceptor domains of the v-src, v-yes and v-fes/fps family of viral oncogenes, as well as more distant relatedness to the catalytic chain of the mammalian cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. These findings suggest that, of the homologues of retroviral oncogenes with tyrosine protein kinase activity examined to date, all were probably derived from a common progenitor and may represent members of a diverse family of cellular protein kinases.
Insights
Researchers identified the tyrosine phosphorylation acceptor sites of the Abelson murine leukaemia virus oncogene (v-abl) and its human homologue (c-abl). This revealed extensive sequence homology with other viral oncogenes, suggesting a common evolutionary origin.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Viral oncogenes encoding tyrosine-specific protein kinases are crucial in cancer development.
- Known oncogenes like v-src, v-yes, and v-fes/fps share sequence homology, particularly at phosphorylation sites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and determine the nucleic acid sequences of tyrosine phosphorylation acceptor sites for v-abl and c-abl.
- To investigate the evolutionary relationship between c-abl and other tyrosine kinase oncogenes.
Main Methods:
- Nucleic acid sequencing to determine the genetic sequences of specific oncogene regions.
- Comparative sequence analysis to identify homologies between different oncogenes.
Main Results:
- The nucleic acid sequences for the tyrosine phosphorylation acceptor sites of v-abl and c-abl were determined.
- Extensive sequence homology was found between the c-abl acceptor domain and those of v-src, v-yes, and v-fes/fps.
- Distant relatedness was also observed with the catalytic chain of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest a common progenitor for the examined retroviral oncogene homologues with tyrosine protein kinase activity.
- These oncogenes likely represent a diverse family of cellular protein kinases.
- This evolutionary link provides insights into the development and function of protein kinases in cellular processes.
Related Concept Videos
01:33Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
01:51Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers
01:03Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
01:26Receptor Tyrosine Kinases
01:33Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
01:51Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers