Structure of the Ras-binding domain of RalGEF and implications for Ras binding and signalling

The solution structure of the Ras-binding domain (RBD) of Ral guanine-nucleotide exchange factor RalGEF was solved by NMR spectroscopy. The overall structure is similar to that of Raf-RBD, another effector of Ras, although the sequence identity is only 13%. 15N chemical shifts changes in the complex of RalGEF-RBD with Ras indicate an interaction similar to the intermolecular beta-sheet observed for the complex between Ras and Raf-RBD.