A novel human RasGAP-like gene that maps within the prostate cancer susceptibility locus at chromosome 1q25

We report the molecular cloning of a human cDNA that encodes a molecule hav ing striking homology with Ras-specific GTPase-activating proteins (RasGAPs ), Among previously described RasGAPs, the cDNA product is most closely rel ated to Caenorhabditis elegans GAP-2, including a predicted coiled-coil str ucture near the carboxyl terminus. Expression of the cDNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae defective in one of two RasGAPs, Ira2, complemented loss of the Ira2 function, indicating that the cDNA product functions as a RasGAP, The RasGAP-like gene is located on the human chromosome 1q25, the locus that ap pears to contain a hereditary prostate cancer susceptible gene, HPC1, (C) 1 998 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.