CAAX CONVERTING ENZYMES

Proteins that contain a carboxyl-terminal CaaX motif undergo post-tran slational processing involving prenylation, endoproteolysis and methyl esterification. Two yeast genes, AFC1 and RCE1, which are candidates f or genes encoding CaaX converting enzymes, were recently identified. R ce1p is required for the full penetrance of the activated Ras2p(val19) phenotype in yeast, indicating its possible utility as a new target i n Ras-based malignancies. Advances in our current understanding of Caa X convertases and the functional importance of CaaX proteolysis are di scussed. (C) 1998 Rapid Science Ltd.