Search

Eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) is a translational repressor that is characterized by its capacity to bind specifically to eIF4E and inhibit its interaction with eIF4G. Phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 regulates eIF4E availability, and therefore, cap-dependent translation, in cell stress. This study reports a physiological study of 4E-BP1 regulation by phosphorylation using control conditions and a stress-induced translational repression condition, ischemia-reperfusion (IR) stress, in brain tissue. In control conditions, 4E-BP1 was found in four phosphorylation states that were detected by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and Western blotting, which corresponded to Thr(69)-phosphorylated alone, Thr(69)- and Thr(36)/Thr(45)-phosphorylated, all these plus Ser(64) phosphorylation, and dephosphorylation of the sites analyzed. In control or IR conditions, no Thr(36)/Thr(45) phosphorylation alone was detected without Thr(69) phosphorylation, and neither was Ser(64) phosphorylation without Thr(36)/Thr(45)/Thr(69) phosphorylation detected. Ischemic stress induced 4E-BP1 dephosphorylation at Thr(69), Thr(36)/Thr(45), and Ser(64) residues, with 4E-BP1 remaining phosphorylated at Thr(69) alone or dephosphorylated. In the subsequent reperfusion, 4E-BP1 phosphorylation was induced at Thr(36)/Thr(45) and Ser(64), in addition to Thr(69). Changes in 4E-BP1 phosphorylation after IR were according to those found for Akt and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinases. These results demonstrate a new hierarchical phosphorylation for 4E-BP1 regulation in which Thr(69) is phosphorylated first followed by Thr(36)/Thr(45) phosphorylation, and Ser(64) is phosphorylated last. Thr(69) phosphorylation alone allows binding to eIF4E, and subsequent Thr(36)/Thr(45) phosphorylation was sufficient to dissociate 4E-BP1 from eIF4E, which led to eIF4E-4G interaction. These data help to elucidate the physiological role of 4E-BP1 phosphorylation in controlling protein synt, Depto. de Farmacología y Toxicología, Fac. de Medicina, TRUE, pub

In ribosomopathies, perturbed expression of ribosome components leads to tissue-specific phenotypes. What accounts for such tissue-selective manifestations as a result of mutations in the ribosome, a ubiquitous cellular machine, has remained a mystery. Combining mouse genetics and in vivo ribosome profiling, we observe limb-patterning phenotypes in ribosomal protein (RP) haploinsufficient embryos, and we uncover selective translational changes of transcripts that controlling limb development. Surprisingly, both loss of p53, which is activated by RP haploinsufficiency, and augmented protein synthesis rescue these phenotypes. These findings are explained by the finding that p53 functions as a master regulator of protein synthesis, at least in part, through transcriptional activation of 4E-BP1. 4E-BP1, a key translational regulator, in turn, facilitates selective changes in the translatome downstream of p53, and this thereby explains how RP haploinsufficiency may elicit specificity to gene expression. These results provide an integrative model to help understand how in vivo tissue-specific phenotypes emerge in ribosomopathies.

The RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) C-terminal domain kinase, CDK12, regulates genome stability, expression of DNA repair genes, and cancer cell resistance to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. In addition to its role in mRNA biosynthesis of DNA repair genes, we show here that CDK12 phosphorylates the mRNA 5' cap-binding repressor, 4E-BP1, to promote translation of mTORC1-dependent mRNAs. In particular, we found that phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 by mTORC1 (T37 and T46) facilitates subsequent CDK12 phosphorylation at two Ser-Pro sites (S65 and T70) that control the exchange of 4E-BP1 with eIF4G at the 5' cap of CHK1 and other target mRNAs. RNA immunoprecipitation coupled with deep sequencing (RIP-seq) revealed that CDK12 regulates release of 4E-BP1, and binding of eIF4G, to many mTORC1 target mRNAs, including those needed for MYC transformation. Genome-wide ribosome profiling (Ribo-seq) further identified specific CDK12 "translation-only" target mRNAs, including many mTORC1 target mRNAs as well as many subunits of mitotic and centromere/centrosome complexes. Accordingly, confocal imaging analyses revealed severe chromosome misalignment, bridging, and segregation defects in cells deprived of CDK12 or CCNK. We conclude that the nuclear RNAPII-CTD kinase CDK12 cooperates with mTORC1, and controls a specialized translation network that is essential for mitotic chromosome stability.

The RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) C-terminal domain kinase, CDK12, regulates genome stability, expression of DNA repair genes, and cancer cell resistance to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. In addition to its role in mRNA biosynthesis of DNA repair genes, we show here that CDK12 phosphorylates the mRNA 5 cap-binding repressor, 4E-BP1, to promote translation of mTORC1-dependent mRNAs. In particular, we found that phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 by mTORC1 (T37 and T46) facilitates subsequent CDK12 phosphorylation at two Ser-Pro sites (S65 and T70) that control the exchange of 4E-BP1 with eIF4G at the 5 cap of CHK1 and other target mRNAs. RNA immunoprecipitation coupled with deep sequencing (RIP-seq) revealed that CDK12 regulates release of 4E-BP1, and binding of eIF4G, to many mTORC1 target mRNAs, including those needed for MYC transformation. Genome-wide ribosome profiling (Ribo-seq) further identified specific CDK12 translation-only target mRNAs, including many mTORC1 target mRNAs as well as many subunits of mitotic and centromere/centrosome complexes. Accordingly, confocal imaging analyses revealed severe chromosome misalignment, bridging, and segregation defects in cells deprived of CDK12 or CCNK. We conclude that the nuclear RNAPII-CTD kinase CDK12 cooperates with mTORC1, and controls a specialized translation network that is essential for mitotic chromosome stability.

Protein synthesis is stimulated by resistance exercise and intake of amino acids, in particular leucine. Moreover, activation of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling by leucine is potentiated by the presence of other essential amino acids (EAA). However, the contribution of the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) to this effect is yet unknown. Here we compare the stimulatory role of leucine, BCAA, and EAA ingestion on anabolic signaling following exercise. Accordingly, eight trained volunteers completed four sessions of resistance exercise during which they ingested either placebo, leucine, BCAA, or EAA (including the BCAA) in random order. Muscle biopsies were taken at rest, immediately after exercise, and following 90 and 180 min of recovery. Following 90 min of recovery the activity of S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) was greater than at rest in all four trials (Placebo

Protein synthesis is stimulated by resistance exercise and intake of amino acids, in particular leucine. Moreover, activation of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling by leucine is potentiated by the presence of other essential amino acids (EAA). However, the contribution of the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) to this effect is yet unknown. Here we compare the stimulatory role of leucine, BCAA, and EAA ingestion on anabolic signaling following exercise. Accordingly, eight trained volunteers completed four sessions of resistance exercise during which they ingested either placebo, leucine, BCAA, or EAA (including the BCAA) in random order. Muscle biopsies were taken at rest, immediately after exercise, and following 90 and 180 min of recovery. Following 90 min of recovery the activity of S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) was greater than at rest in all four trials (Placebo

Protein synthesis is stimulated by resistance exercise and intake of amino acids, in particular leucine. Moreover, activation of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling by leucine is potentiated by the presence of other essential amino acids (EAA). However, the contribution of the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) to this effect is yet unknown. Here we compare the stimulatory role of leucine, BCAA, and EAA ingestion on anabolic signaling following exercise. Accordingly, eight trained volunteers completed four sessions of resistance exercise during which they ingested either placebo, leucine, BCAA, or EAA (including the BCAA) in random order. Muscle biopsies were taken at rest, immediately after exercise, and following 90 and 180 min of recovery. Following 90 min of recovery the activity of S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) was greater than at rest in all four trials (Placebo

Protein synthesis is stimulated by resistance exercise and intake of amino acids, in particular leucine. Moreover, activation of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling by leucine is potentiated by the presence of other essential amino acids (EAA). However, the contribution of the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) to this effect is yet unknown. Here we compare the stimulatory role of leucine, BCAA, and EAA ingestion on anabolic signaling following exercise. Accordingly, eight trained volunteers completed four sessions of resistance exercise during which they ingested either placebo, leucine, BCAA, or EAA (including the BCAA) in random order. Muscle biopsies were taken at rest, immediately after exercise, and following 90 and 180 min of recovery. Following 90 min of recovery the activity of S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) was greater than at rest in all four trials (Placebo

Protein synthesis is stimulated by resistance exercise and intake of amino acids, in particular leucine. Moreover, activation of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling by leucine is potentiated by the presence of other essential amino acids (EAA). However, the contribution of the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) to this effect is yet unknown. Here we compare the stimulatory role of leucine, BCAA, and EAA ingestion on anabolic signaling following exercise. Accordingly, eight trained volunteers completed four sessions of resistance exercise during which they ingested either placebo, leucine, BCAA, or EAA (including the BCAA) in random order. Muscle biopsies were taken at rest, immediately after exercise, and following 90 and 180 min of recovery. Following 90 min of recovery the activity of S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) was greater than at rest in all four trials (Placebo

Protein synthesis is stimulated by resistance exercise and intake of amino acids, in particular leucine. Moreover, activation of mTORC1 signaling by leucine is potentiated by the presence of other essential amino acids (EAA). However, the contribution of the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) to this effect is yet unknown. Here we compare the stimulatory role of leucine, BCAA and EAA ingestion on anabolic signaling following exercise. Accordingly, eight trained volunteers completed four sessions of resistance exercise during which they ingested either placebo, leucine, BCAA or EAA (including the BCAA) in random order. Muscle biopsies were taken at rest, immediately after exercise and following 90 and 180 min of recovery. Following 90 min of recovery the activity of S6K1 was greater than at rest in all four trials (Placebo

mTOR complex 1 integrates the input from several upstream pathways, including growth factors, insulin and amino acids. It can also sense the nutrient, oxygen and energy status of the cell. The mTOR pathway is often dysregulated in human diseases, specifically cancer. This central integration center is often modulated in order to promote uncontrollable cell growth, regardless of extracellular input. The protein known as Raptor (Regulatory Associated Protein of mTOR) is largely responsible for substrate protein recognition. Not much is known about how Raptor recruits mTOR substrate proteins. This study seeks to better understand the specific contribution of structural regions of the Raptor protein in recognizing and binding mTOR substrate proteins S6K1 and 4E-BP1. This study shows that the conserved N-terminal portion of the Raptor protein is involved in these interactions.

mTOR complex 1 integrates the input from several upstream pathways, including growth factors, insulin and amino acids. It can also sense the nutrient, oxygen and energy status of the cell. The mTOR pathway is often dysregulated in human diseases, specifically cancer. This central integration center is often modulated in order to promote uncontrollable cell growth, regardless of extracellular input. The protein known as Raptor (Regulatory Associated Protein of mTOR) is largely responsible for substrate protein recognition. Not much is known about how Raptor recruits mTOR substrate proteins. This study seeks to better understand the specific contribution of structural regions of the Raptor protein in recognizing and binding mTOR substrate proteins S6K1 and 4E-BP1. This study shows that the conserved N-terminal portion of the Raptor protein is involved in these interactions.

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) functions to integrate nutrient and energy availability with extracellular growth factor signals to regulate macromolecular biosynthesis including protein translation and lipogenesis. This essential gene in conserved from yeast to humans and is a core metabolic regulatory element. Aberrant regulation of metabolism is a phenotype recognized as a hallmark of cancer, and it has been shown that increases in translation alone can be oncogenic. Additionally, many of the most common oncogenes in cancer alter the growth factor signaling network upstream of mTOR and these lesions likely activate mTOR in many cancers. Thus, repression of mTOR activity is an emerging therapeutic strategy for human cancer and there is both strong mechanistic and epidemiological evidence to suggest that attenuation of mTOR signaling may be broadly applicable. As a kinase with a defined small-molecule binding pocket, mTOR presents an attractive target for therapeutic intervention because of its conserved role in integrating many different oncogenic lesions and its central requirement for metabolic regulation. The successful application of mTOR inhibitors to clinical oncology will require the development of potent and selective inhibitors of this kinase and equally importantly, an understanding of which oncogenic lesions mark tumors as specifically sensitive to mTOR inhibition as well as independent biomarkers for in vivo efficacy. Fortuitously, mTOR is inhibited with near perfect selectivity by the natural product rapamycin, and analogs of this compound have been approved for the treatment of solid tumors. Rapamycin inhibits mTOR through a non-conserved non-competitive mechanism of action and only blocks the phosphorylation of certain substrates. ATP-competitive inhibitors of mTOR have recently been invented that occupy the kinase active site and block all substrate phosphorylation. In many preclinical models they are significantly more potent than rapamyc

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) functions to integrate nutrient and energy availability with extracellular growth factor signals to regulate macromolecular biosynthesis including protein translation and lipogenesis. This essential gene in conserved from yeast to humans and is a core metabolic regulatory element. Aberrant regulation of metabolism is a phenotype recognized as a hallmark of cancer, and it has been shown that increases in translation alone can be oncogenic. Additionally, many of the most common oncogenes in cancer alter the growth factor signaling network upstream of mTOR and these lesions likely activate mTOR in many cancers. Thus, repression of mTOR activity is an emerging therapeutic strategy for human cancer and there is both strong mechanistic and epidemiological evidence to suggest that attenuation of mTOR signaling may be broadly applicable. As a kinase with a defined small-molecule binding pocket, mTOR presents an attractive target for therapeutic intervention because of its conserved role in integrating many different oncogenic lesions and its central requirement for metabolic regulation. The successful application of mTOR inhibitors to clinical oncology will require the development of potent and selective inhibitors of this kinase and equally importantly, an understanding of which oncogenic lesions mark tumors as specifically sensitive to mTOR inhibition as well as independent biomarkers for in vivo efficacy. Fortuitously, mTOR is inhibited with near perfect selectivity by the natural product rapamycin, and analogs of this compound have been approved for the treatment of solid tumors. Rapamycin inhibits mTOR through a non-conserved non-competitive mechanism of action and only blocks the phosphorylation of certain substrates. ATP-competitive inhibitors of mTOR have recently been invented that occupy the kinase active site and block all substrate phosphorylation. In many preclinical models they are significantly more potent than rapamyc

This study compared the effects of leucine and glutamine on the mTOR pathway, on protein synthesis and on muscle-specific gene expression in myogenic C(2)C(12) cells. Leucine increased the phosphorylation state of mTOR, on both Ser2448 and Ser2481, and its downstream effectors, p70(S6k), S6 and 4E-BP1. By contrast, glutamine decreased the phosphorylation state of mTOR on Ser2448, p70(S6k) and 4E-BP1, but did not modify the phosphorylation state of mTOR on Ser2481 and S6. Whilst the phosphorylation state of the mTOR pathway is usually related to protein synthesis, the incorporation of labelled methionine/cysteine was only transiently modified by leucine and was unaltered by glutamine. However, these two amino acids affected the mRNA levels of desmin, myogenin and myosin heavy chain in a time-dependant manner. In conclusion, leucine and glutamine have opposite effects on the mTOR pathway. Moreover, they induce modification of muscle-specific gene expression, unrelated to their effects on the mTOR/p70(S6k) pathway.

Cerebral ischaemia causes long-lasting protein synthesis inhibition that is believed to contribute to brain damage. Energy depletion promotes translation inhibition during ischaemia, and the phosphorylation of eIF (eukaryotic initiation factor) 2alpha is involved in the translation inhibition induced by early ischaemia/reperfusion. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying prolonged translation down-regulation remain elusive. NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) excitotoxicity is also involved in ischaemic damage, as exposure to NMDA impairs translation and promotes the synthesis of NO (nitric oxide), which can also inhibit translation. In the present study, we investigated whether NO was involved in NMDA-induced protein synthesis inhibition in neurons and studied the underlying molecular mechanisms. NMDA and the NO donor DEA/NO (diethylamine-nitric oxide sodium complex) both inhibited protein synthesis and this effect persisted after a 30 min exposure. Treatments with NMDA or NO promoted calpain-dependent eIF4G cleavage and 4E-BP1 (eIF4E-binding protein 1) dephosphorylation and also abolished the formation of eIF4E-eIF4G complexes; however, they did not induce eIF2alpha phosphorylation. Although NOS (NO synthase) inhibitors did not prevent protein synthesis inhibition during 30 min of NMDA exposure, they did abrogate the persistent inhibition of translation observed after NMDA removal. NOS inhibitors also prevented NMDA-induced eIF4G degradation, 4E-BP1 dephosphorylation, decreased eIF4E-eIF4G-binding and cell death. Although the calpain inhibitor calpeptin blocked NMDA-induced eIF4G degradation, it did not prevent 4E-BP1 dephosphorylation, which precludes eIF4E availability, and thus translation inhibition was maintained. The present study suggests that eIF4G integrity and hyperphosphorylated 4E-BP1 are needed to ensure appropriate translation in neurons. In conclusion, our data show that NO mediates NMDA-induced persistent translation inhibition and suggest that defici