A molecular redox switch on p21(ras) - Structural basis for the nitric oxide-p21(ras) interaction

We have identified the site of molecular interaction between nitric oxide (NO) and p21(ras) responsible for initiation of signal transduction, We found that p21(ras) was singly S-nitrosylated and localized this modification to a fragment of p21(ras) containing Cys(118). A mutant form of p21(ras), in which Cys(118) was changed to a serine residue and termed p21(ras)C118S, was not S-nitrosylated, NO-related species stimulated guanine nucleotide exchange on wild-type p21(ras), resulting in an active form, but not on p21(ras)C118S. Furthermore, in contrast to parental Jurkat T cells, NO-related species did not stimulate mitogen-activated protein kinase activity in cells transfected with p21(ras)C118S. These data indicate that Cys(118) is a critical site of redox regulation of p21(ras), and S-nitrosylation of this residue triggers guanine nucleotide exchange and downstream signaling.