Elongation factor EF-1 delta, a new target for maturation-promoting factor in Xenopus oocytes

Heat Shock-Induced Dephosphorylation of Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 1BδL by Protein Phosphatase 1

Several variant proteins are produced from EEF1D, including two representative proteins produced via alternative splicing machinery. One protein is the canonical translation eukaryotic elongation factor eEF1Bδ1, and the other is the heat shock-responsive transcription factor eEF1BδL. eEF1Bδ1 is phosphorylated by cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), but the machinery controlling eEF1BδL phosphorylation and dephosphorylation has not been clarified. In this study, we found that both proteins were dephosphorylated under heat shock and proteotoxic stress, and this dephosphorylation was inhibited by okadaic acid. Using proteins with mutations at putative phosphorylated residues, we revealed that eEF1Bδ1 and eEF1BδL are phosphorylated at S133 and S499, respectively, and these residues are both CDK1 phosphorylation sites. The eEF1BδL S499A mutant more strongly activated HSPA6 promoter-driven reporter than the wild-type protein and S499D mutant. Furthermore, protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) was co-immunoprecipitated with eEF1Bδ1 and eEF1BδL, and PP1 dephosphorylated both proteins in vitro. Thus, this study clarified the role of phosphorylation/dephosphorylation in the functional regulation of eEF1BδL during heat shock.

Role of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 1 in Translational Regulation in the M-Phase

Cyclin dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) has been primarily identified as a key cell cycle regulator in both mitosis and meiosis. Recently, an extramitotic function of CDK1 emerged when evidence was found that CDK1 is involved in many cellular events that are essential for cell proliferation and survival. In this review we summarize the involvement of CDK1 in the initiation and elongation steps of protein synthesis in the cell. During its activation, CDK1 influences the initiation of protein synthesis, promotes the activity of specific translational initiation factors and affects the functioning of a subset of elongation factors. Our review provides insights into gene expression regulation during the transcriptionally silent M-phase and describes quantitative and qualitative translational changes based on the extramitotic role of the cell cycle master regulator CDK1 to optimize temporal synthesis of proteins to sustain the division-related processes: mitosis and cytokinesis.

The role of translation elongation factor eEF1 subunits in neurodevelopmental disorders

The multi-subunit eEF1 complex plays a crucial role in de novo protein synthesis. The central functional component of the complex is eEF1A, which occurs as two independently encoded variants with reciprocal expression patterns: whilst eEF1A1 is widely expressed, eEF1A2 is found only in neurons and muscle. Heterozygous mutations in the gene encoding eEF1A2, EEF1A2, have recently been shown to cause epilepsy, autism, and intellectual disability. The remaining subunits of the eEF1 complex, eEF1Bα, eEF1Bδ, eEF1Bγ, and valyl-tRNA synthetase (VARS), together form the GTP exchange factor for eEF1A and are ubiquitously expressed, in keeping with their housekeeping role. However, mutations in the genes encoding these subunits EEF1B2 (eEF1Bα), EEF1D (eEF1Bδ), and VARS (valyl-tRNA synthetase) have also now been identified as causes of neurodevelopmental disorders. In this review, we describe the mutations identified so far in comparison with the degree of normal variation in each gene, and the predicted consequences of the mutations on the functions of the proteins and their isoforms. We discuss the likely effects of the mutations in the context of the role of protein synthesis in neuronal development.

Proteomic analysis of mouse choroid plexus cell line ECPC-4 treated with lipid A

OBJECTIVES

Choroid plexus (CP) epithelial cells have multiple functions in the cerebral ventricles, including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production and forming part of the blood-CSF barrier. They are also responsible for producing inflammatory mediators involved in meningitis. The present study aimed to elucidate the functions of the CP epithelial cells during CNS inflammation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed the proteome and phosphoproteome in lipid A-treated ECPC-4 mouse CP cells by gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

Levels of 10 proteins and seven phosphoproteins were significantly altered by lipid A in time-dependent manners, including V-type proton ATPase subunit B (ATP6V), protein 40 kD, elongation factor-1δ, coatomer subunit ε (COPE), vimentin (isoform CRA a), purine nucleoside phosphorylase, eukaryotic initiation factor-4F splicing variant, put. β-actin, peroxiredoxin-6 isoform 1, and immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region. These proteins could be classified as having cytoskeleton/intermediate filament, protein-folding, signal-transduction, cell-growth, metabolism, and redox-regulation functions. The identified phosphoproteins were HSP 84, γ-actin, HSP 70 cognate, vimentin, tubulin β-4B chain, protein disulfide-isomerase A6 precursor, and heterogenous nuclear ribonucleoprotein, which could be classified as having cytoskeleton/intermediate filament, protein-folding, and metabolism functions.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that lipid A can change the levels of proteins and phosphoproteins in ECPC-4 cells, suggesting that the identified proteins and phosphoproteins may play important roles in inflammation of the CP.

Identification of novel isoforms of dairy goat EEF1D and their mRNA expression characterization

Eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1 delta (EEF1D) gene encodes guanine nucleotide exchange protein eEF1Bδ, which participates in the eukaryotic protein synthesis, and plays important roles in regulating cell cycling and milk production. This study firstly focused on detecting the isoforms of dairy goat EEF1D gene and their mRNA expression characterization. Herein, two novel isoforms, EEF1Da and EEF1Dc, were identified in dairy goat. The entire coding sequences of EEF1Da and EEF1Dc isoforms were 843bp and 267bp in length, respectively. Goat EEF1Da had complete conserved domains of elongation factor 1 (EF1) family, and the evolution of goat EEF1Da isoform was agreed with the evolution of species. Expression pattern analysis of different isoforms revealed relatively ubiquitous expression of EEF1D and EEF1Da. While EEF1Dc only expressed in heart, lung, kidney, adipose and muscle. Combining with the analysis results of cloning, qRT-PCR and bioinformatics, EEF1Da is the major alternative splicing form of EEF1D gene. Interestingly, qRT-PCR result showed that the highest expression of EEF1D was in adipose, which is the major component of mammary. This result was consistent with the early research that EEF1D expressed highly in the mammary, which indicated that EEF1D played a potential key role in regulating adipose development and milk production. All these findings would provide a foundation for the further research of EEF1D gene and development of dairy goat industry.

The many roles of the eukaryotic elongation factor 1 complex

The vast majority of proteins are believed to have one specific function. Throughout the course of evolution, however, some proteins have acquired additional functions to meet the demands of a complex cellular milieu. In some cases, changes in RNA or protein processing allow the cell to make the most of what is already encoded in the genome to produce slightly different forms. The eukaryotic elongation factor 1 (eEF1) complex subunits, however, have acquired such moonlighting functions without alternative forms. In this article, we discuss the canonical functions of the components of the eEF1 complex in translation elongation as well as the secondary interactions they have with other cellular factors outside of the translational apparatus. The eEF1 complex itself changes in composition as the complexity of eukaryotic organisms increases. Members of the complex are also subject to phosphorylation, a potential modulator of both canonical and non-canonical functions. Although alternative functions of the eEF1A subunit have been widely reported, recent studies are shedding light on additional functions of the eEF1B subunits. A thorough understanding of these alternate functions of eEF1 is essential for appreciating their biological relevance.

Mitotic modulation of translation elongation factor 1 leads to hindered tRNA delivery to ribosomes

Translation elongation in eukaryotes is mediated by the concerted actions of elongation factor 1A (eEF1A), which delivers aminoacylated tRNA to the ribosome; elongation factor 1B (eEF1B) complex, which catalyzes the exchange of GDP to GTP on eEF1A; and eEF2, which facilitates ribosomal translocation. Here we present evidence in support of a novel mode of translation regulation by hindered tRNA delivery during mitosis. A conserved consensus phosphorylation site for the mitotic cyclin-dependent kinase 1 on the catalytic delta subunit of eEF1B (termed eEF1D) is required for its posttranslational modification during mitosis, resulting in lower affinity to its substrate eEF1A. This modification is correlated with reduced availability of eEF1A·tRNA complexes, as well as reduced delivery of tRNA to and association of eEF1A with elongating ribosomes. This mode of regulation by hindered tRNA delivery, although first discovered in mitosis, may represent a more globally applicable mechanism employed under other physiological conditions that involve down-regulation of protein synthesis at the elongation level.

Elongation factors are involved in cytokinesis of sea urchin eggs

Cleavage furrows (CFs) have been isolated from dividing sea urchin eggs and the protein constituents have been analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (Fujimoto & Mabuchi, J. Biochem. 122, 518-524, 1997). Two proteins of 51 and 32 kDa, respectively, have been found to be enriched in the CF preparation. Here, we show that these proteins are identical to the protein elongation factor 1alpha (EF-1alpha) and 1beta (EF-1beta), respectively. Furthermore, the CF 51-kDa protein is identical to the 51-kDa protein which had been isolated as a component of the microtubule organizing granules of mitotic sea urchin eggs. The 51-kDa protein bundles F-actin in vitro. This activity is suppressed by Ca(2+)/calmodulin or GTPgammaS. The 32-kDa protein binds EF-1alpha both in vitro and in cell extract, and is shown to suppress the F-actin-bundling activity of the 51-kDa protein. Microinjection of a monoclonal antibody against the 51-kDa protein or that of His-tagged 32-kDa protein into dividing sea urchin eggs at the onset of cleavage leads to failure of cytokinesis. These results strongly suggest that EF-1alpha is involved in maintenance of the structure of the contractile ring and EF-1beta regulates the F-actin-bundling activity of EF-1alpha.

eEF1B: At the dawn of the 21st century

Translational regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes can rapidly and accurately control cell activity in response to stimuli or when rapidly dividing. There is increasing evidence for a key role of the elongation step in this process. Elongation factor-1 (eEF1), which is responsible for aminoacyl-tRNA transfer on the ribosome, is comprised of two entities: a G-protein named eEF1A and a nucleotide exchange factor, eEF1B. The multifunctional nature of eEF1A, as well as its oncogenic potential, is currently the subject of a number of studies. Until recently, less work has been done on eEF1B. This review describes the macromolecular complexity of eEF1B, its multiple phosphorylation sites and numerous cellular partners, which lead us to suggest an essential role for the factor in the control of gene expression, particularly during the cell cycle.

Translational control during mitosis

Translation is now recognized as an important process in the regulation of gene expression. During the cell cycle, translation is tightly regulated. Protein synthesis is necessary for entry into and progression through mitosis and conversely, modifications of translational activity are observed during the cell cycle. This review focuses on translational control during mitosis (or M-phase) and the role of CDK1/cyclin B, the universal cell cycle regulator implicated in the G2/M transition, in protein synthesis regulation.

Identification of Porcine Oocyte Proteins That Are Associated with Somatic Cell Nuclei after Co-Incubation1

Relatively little is known with respect to the oocyte proteins that are involved in nuclear reprogramming of somatic cells in mammals. The aim of the present study was to use a cell-free incubation system between porcine oocyte proteins and somatic cell nuclei and to identify oocyte proteins that remain associated with these somatic cell nuclei. In two separate experiments, porcine oocytes were either labeled with biotin to label total proteins at the germinal vesicle stage or metaphase II stage or they were labeled with 0.1 mM (35)S-methionine either during the first 6 h or 22-28 h of in vitro maturation to characterize protein synthesis during two distinct phases. To determine which oocyte proteins associate with somatic nuclei, labeled proteins were incubated in a collecting buffer and energy-regenerating system with isolated ovarian epithelial-like cell nuclei. After incubation, the nuclei were subjected to a novel affinity-binding system to recover biotin-labeled oocyte proteins or two-dimensional SDS-PAGE for separation and visualization of radiolabeled proteins. Proteins of interest were sent for identification using either matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight or liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Of the proteins that remain associated with isolated nuclei after incubation, 4 were identified using the affinity-binding system and 24 were identified using mass spectrometry and the two-dimensional gel interface. This study has identified porcine oocyte proteins that associate with somatic cell nuclei in a cell-free system using proteomics techniques, providing a novel way to identify oocyte proteins potentially functionally involved in nuclear reprogramming.

Protein kinases conserved in herpesviruses potentially share a function mimicking the cellular protein kinase cdc2

Herpesviruses encode protein kinases. A subset of these proteins, represented by HSV-1 UL13, are conserved throughout all members of the Herpesviridae, and here, are designated CHPKs (conserved herpesvirus protein kinases). In addition to conserved gene products like CHPKs, herpesviruses encode genes specific to respective herpesviruses. When acting upon conserved viral gene products or cellular factors, CHPKs may play conserved roles in the life cycles of herpesviruses. CHPKs may also express unique functions within the infectious process of individual herpesviruses when specific viral gene products are targeted. CHPKs demonstrate specific activity in multiple herpesvirus infections, functioning in the regulation of viral gene expression in HSV-1, tissue tropism in VZV, and viral DNA synthesis, encapsidation and egress from the nucleus in HCMV. The HCMV CHPK, however, can partially substitute for the HSV-1 CHPK. Representative CHPKs from all Herpesviridae subfamilies can also facilitate the hyperphosphorylation of the cellular translation factor, EF-1delta. This indicates that CHPKs have conserved functions. Recent data have shown that both CHPKs and a cellular protein kinase, cdc2, phosphorylate the same amino acid residues of target proteins. Thus, CHPKs may mimic cdc2 function in infected cells.

Mutation of a conserved CDK site converts a metazoan Elongation Factor 1Bbeta subunit into a replacement for yeast eEF1Balpha

Elongation factor subunit eEF1Bbeta (formerly EF-1beta in plants and EF-1delta in animals) was identified and cloned in a screen for proteins from pea that interact with a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK). CDKs are enzymes that regulate progression through meiotic and mitotic cell cycles in eukaryotes. eEF1Bbeta and the related protein eEF1Balpha (formerly EF-1beta' in plants and EF-1beta in animals and fungi) can catalyze GTP/GDP exchange on the G-protein eEF1A (formerly EF-1alpha in plants, animals and fungi) during the elongation phase of protein synthesis in eukaryotes. Recombinant Cdc2 and its native homologues from pea extracts associated both in vitro and in vivo with eEF1Bbeta. A Cdc2-cyclin B complex phosphorylated recombinant plant eEF1Bbetas, but not eEF1Balpha. These interactions between CDK and eEF1Bbeta prompted investigations into the in vivo consequences of this relationship. Expression of cDNAs encoding rice or pea eEF1Bbeta subunits failed to complement a Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant deleted for the eEF1Balpha gene, as was previously observed for the human eEF1Bbeta. However, replacement of Thr91, the sole consensus CDK phosphorylation site in pea eEF1Bbeta, with alanine allowed the pea protein to substitute for eEF1Balpha function in vivo. In addition, this rescued strain was severely cold sensitive, and more sensitive to translational inhibitors than wild-type yeast. Taken together, these results suggest a physiological connection between the cyclin-dependent class of kinases and a translational elongation factor in mitotic cells, and provide the first in vivo evidence that an altered form of eEF1Bbeta can serve as the guanine nucleotide exchange factor for eEF1A.

Kinectin anchors the translation elongation factor-1 delta to the endoplasmic reticulum

Kinectin has been proposed to be a membrane anchor for kinesin on intracellular organelles. A kinectin isoform that lacks a major portion of the kinesin-binding domain does not bind kinesin but interacts with another resident of the endoplasmic reticulum, the translation elongation factor-1 delta (EF-1 delta). This was shown by yeast two-hybrid analysis and a number of in vitro and in vivo assays. EF-1 delta provides the guanine nucleotide exchange activities on EF-1 alpha during elongation step of protein synthesis. The minimal EF-1 delta-binding domain on kinectin resides within a conserved region present in all the kinectin isoforms. Overexpression of the kinectin fragments in vivo disrupted the intracellular localization of EF-1 delta proteins. This report provides evidence of an alternative kinectin function as the membrane anchor for EF-1 delta on the endoplasmic reticulum and provides clues to the EF-1 complex assembly and anchorage on the endoplasmic reticulum.

Conserved protein kinases encoded by herpesviruses and cellular protein kinase cdc2 target the same phosphorylation site in eukaryotic elongation factor 1delta

Earlier studies have shown that translation elongation factor 1delta (EF-1delta) is hyperphosphorylated in various mammalian cells infected with representative alpha-, beta-, and gammaherpesviruses and that the modification is mediated by conserved viral protein kinases encoded by herpesviruses, including UL13 of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), UL97 of human cytomegalovirus, and BGLF4 of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). In the present study, we attempted to identify the site in EF-1delta associated with the hyperphosphorylation by the herpesvirus protein kinases. Our results are as follows: (i) not only in infected cells but also in uninfected cells, replacement of the serine residue at position 133 (Ser-133) of EF-1delta by alanine precluded the posttranslational processing of EF-1delta, which corresponds to the hyperphosphorylation. (ii) A purified chimeric protein consisting of maltose binding protein (MBP) fused to a domain of EF-1delta containing Ser-133 (MBP-EFWt) is specifically phosphorylated in in vitro kinase assays by purified recombinant UL13 fused to glutathione S-transferase (GST) expressed in the baculovirus system. In contrast, the level of phosphorylation by the recombinant UL13 of MBP-EFWt carrying an alanine replacement of Ser-133 (MBP-EFS133A) was greatly impaired. (iii) MBP-EFWt is also specifically phosphorylated in vitro by purified recombinant BGLF4 fused to GST expressed in the baculovirus system, and the level of phosphorylation of MBP-EFS133A by the recombinant BGLF4 was greatly reduced. (iv) The sequence flanking Ser-133 of EF-1delta completely matches the consensus phosphorylation site for a cellular protein kinase, cdc2, and in vitro kinase assays revealed that purified cdc2 phosphorylates Ser-133 of EF-1delta. (v) As observed with EF-1delta, the casein kinase II beta subunit (CKIIbeta) was specifically phosphorylated by UL13 in vitro, while the level of phosphorylation of CKIIbeta by UL13 was greatly diminished when a serine residue at position 209, which has been reported to be phosphorylated by cdc2, was replaced with alanine. These results indicate that the conserved protein kinases encoded by herpesviruses and a cellular protein kinase, cdc2, have the ability to target the same amino acid residues for phosphorylation. Our results raise the possibility that the viral protein kinases mimic cdc2 in infected cells.

Regulation of peptide-chain elongation in mammalian cells

The elongation phase of mRNA translation is the stage at which the polypeptide is assembled and requires a substantial amount of metabolic energy. Translation elongation in mammals requires a set of nonribosomal proteins called eukaryotic elongation actors or eEFs. Several of these proteins are subject to phosphorylation in mammalian cells, including the factors eEF1A and eEF1B that are involved in recruitment of amino acyl-tRNAs to the ribosome. eEF2, which mediates ribosomal translocation, is also phosphorylated and this inhibits its activity. The kinase acting on eEF2 is an unusual and specific one, whose activity is dependent on calcium ions and calmodulin. Recent work has shown that the activity of eEF2 kinase is regulated by MAP kinase signalling and by the nutrient-sensitive mTOR signalling pathway, which serve to activate eEF2 in response to mitogenic or hormonal stimuli. Conversely, eEF2 is inactivated by phosphorylation in response to stimuli that increase energy demand or reduce its supply. This likely serves to slow down protein synthesis and thus conserve energy under such circumstances.

Transient increase of a protein kinase activity identified to CK2 during sea urchin development

Using GST-EF-1 delta as an exogenous substrate, and EF-1 delta kinase activity was shown to increase transiently during early development of sea urchin embryos. The basal activity of EF-1 delta kinase in unfertilized eggs was 150 fmoles/min/mg protein. The activity began to increase 10 h after fertilization and reached its maximum level (8.4 x basal) at 24 h. The activity then declined to twice the basal value at 72 h post-fertilization. The EF-1 delta kinase activity was identified to a CK2-type enzyme on the basis of its substrate specificity for EF-1 delta, crude casein and beta casein, its inhibition by heparin, DRB, 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate, and its stimulation by spermine, spermidine, and polylysin. Furthermore, the activity was inhibited by the synthetic peptide RRREEETEEE specific for CK2. DRB (200 microM) and 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate (2.5 mM) blocked or delayed the transition from blastula to gastrula of the embryos, suggesting a role for the kinase in early development.

Cellular elongation factor 1delta is modified in cells infected with representative alpha-, beta-, or gammaherpesviruses

Earlier reports (Y. Kawaguchi, R. Bruni, and B. Roizman, J. Virol. 71:1019-1024, 1997; Y. Kawaguchi, C. Van Sant, and B. Roizman, J. Virol. 72:1731-1736, 1998) showed that herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection causes the hyperphosphorylation of translation elongation factor 1delta (EF-1delta) and that the modification of EF-1delta is the consequence of direct phosphorylation by a viral protein kinase encoded by the UL13 gene of HSV-1. The UL13 gene is conserved in members of all herpesvirus subfamilies. Here we report the following. (i) In various mammalian cells, accumulation of the hyperphosphorylated form of EF-1delta is observed after infection with alpha-, beta-, and gammaherpesviruses, including HSV-2, feline herpesvirus 1, pseudorabiesvirus, bovine herpesvirus 1, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), and equine herpesvirus 2. (ii) In human lung fibroblast cells infected with recombinant HSV-1 lacking the UL13 gene, the hypophosphorylated form of EF-1delta is a minor species, whereas the amount of the hyperphosphorylated form of EF-1delta significantly increases in cells infected with the recombinant HSV-1 in which UL13 had been replaced by HCMV UL97, a homologue of UL13. These results indicate that the posttranslational modification of EF-1delta is conserved herpesvirus function and the UL13 homologues may be responsible for the universal modification of the translation factor.

Developmental regulation of elongation factor-1 delta in sea urchin suggests appearance of a mechanism for alternative poly(A) site selection in gastrulae

Elongation factor-1 delta gene expression was analyzed during sea urchin development. EF-1 delta mRNA is present as a single 2.7-kb transcript in unfertilized eggs and in rapidly dividing cleavage stage embryos. It decreases rapidly 6 h after fertilization and then reappears at the gastrula stage as two transcripts of 2.7 and 2.0 kb. cDNA clones encoding the 2.7- and 2.0-kb transcripts were isolated from a sea urchin embryos library. The two cDNAs originate from alternative poly(A) site selection from a unique precursor. Both cDNAs are terminated by a poly(A) tail and were shown to encode for the same protein identified as EF-1 delta. Thus, EF-1 delta gene expression undergoes developmental regulation in early embryos leading to the presence of two poly(A) forms of the transcript. Since the 2.0-kb polyadenylated form of the EF-1 delta transcript appears at gastrula stage, our results suggest that a mechanism for alternative poly(A) site selection of the EF-1 delta transcript appears during embryonic development.

Phosphorylation of elongation factor-1 (EF-1) by cdc2 kinase

Elongation factor-1 (EF-1) is a major substrate for cdc2 kinase in Xenopus oocytes. The guanine-nucleotide exchange factor EF-1 beta gamma delta, appears to have a highly complex macromolecular structure containing several GTP/GDP exchange proteins, valyl-tRNA synthetase, and a putative anchoring protein EF-1 gamma. During meiotic cell division, the factor becomes phosphorylated by cdc2 kinase, not only on EF-1 gamma, but also on two different phospho-acceptors on EF-1 delta. Phosphorylation is concomitant with changes in protein synthesis in vivo. Xenopus oocytes, and potentially all cells, contain a multitude of heteromeric forms of the complex which postulates that EF-1 beta gamma delta is not a "house keeping" factor but a sophisticated regulatory element.

Eukaryotic elongation factor 1delta is hyperphosphorylated by the protein kinase encoded by the U(L)13 gene of herpes simplex virus 1

The translation elongation factor 1delta (EF-1delta) consists of two forms, a hypophosphorylated form (apparent Mr, 38,000) and a hyperphosphorylated form (apparent Mr, 40,000). Earlier Y. Kawaguchi, R. Bruni, and B. Roizman (J. Virol. 71:1019-1024, 1997) reported that whereas mock-infected cells accumulate the hypophosphorylated form, the hyperphosphorylated form of EF-1delta accumulates in cells infected with herpes simplex virus 1. We now report that the accumulation of the hyperphosphorylated EF-1delta is due to phosphorylation by U(L)13 protein kinase based on the following observations. (i) The relative amounts of hypo- and hyperphosphorylated EF-1delta in Vero cells infected with mutant virus lacking the U(L)13 gene could not be differentiated from those of mock-infected cells. In contrast, the hyperphosphorylated EF-1delta was the predominant form in Vero cells infected with wild-type viruses, a recombinant virus in which the deleted U(L)13 sequences were restored, or with a virus lacking the U(S)3 gene, which also encodes a protein kinase. (ii) The absence of the hyperphosphorylated EF-1delta in cells infected with the U(L)13 deletion mutant was not due to failure of posttranslational modification of infected-cell protein 22 (ICP22)/U(S)1.5 or of interaction with ICP0, inasmuch as preferential accumulation of hyperphosphorylated EF-1delta was observed in cells infected with viruses from which the genes encoding ICP22/U(S)1.5 or ICP0 had been deleted. (iii) Both forms of EF-1delta were labeled by 32Pi in vivo, but the prevalence of the hyperphosphorylated EF-1delta was dependent on the presence of the U(L)13 protein. (iv) EF-1delta immunoprecipitated from uninfected Vero cells was phosphorylated by U(L)13 precipitated by the anti-U(L)13 antibody from lysates of wild-type virus-infected cells, but not by complexes formed by the interaction of the U(L)13 antibody with lysates of cells infected with a mutant lacking the U(L)13 gene. This is the first evidence that a viral protein kinase targets a cellular protein. Together with evidence that ICP0 also interacts with EF-1delta reported in the paper cited above, these data indicate that herpes simplex virus 1 has evolved a complex strategy for optimization of infected-cell protein synthesis.

Recombinant subunits of mammalian elongation factor 1 expressed in Escherichia coli. Subunit interactions, elongation activity, and phosphorylation by protein kinase CKII

The first step in elongation requires two different activities; elongation factor (EF)-1alpha transfers aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosome and is released upon hydrolysis of GTP, EF-1betagammadelta catalyzes exchange of GDP on EF-1alpha with GTP. To analyze the role of the individual subunits of EF-1 in elongation, the cDNAs for the beta, gamma, and delta subunits of EF-1 from rabbit were cloned, and proteins of 225, 437, and 280 amino acids, respectively, were expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified recombinant beta subunit migrates as a dimer and the gamma subunit as a trimer upon gel filtration, whereas the delta subunit forms a large aggregate. Complexes of betagamma, gammadelta and betagammadelta were formed by self-association and eluted with a molecular mass of approximately 160, 530, and 670 kDa, respectively; no interaction was observed between beta and delta. The activity of the recombinant subunits was determined with native EF-1alpha by measuring stimulation of the rate of elongation by poly(U)-directed polyphenylalanine synthesis. Recombinant beta and delta alone stimulated the rate of elongation by 10-fold, with a ratio of 5alpha:2beta or delta. The betagammadelta complex stimulated EF-1alpha activity up to 10-fold with a ratio of 20alpha to 1betagammadelta. Phosphorylation of the beta and delta subunits alone or in betagammadelta by protein kinase CKII had no effect on the rate of elongation.

Phosphorylation of elongation factor 1 and ribosomal protein S6 by multipotential S6 kinase and insulin stimulation of translational elongation

Stimulation of protein synthesis in response to insulin is concomitant with increased phosphorylation of initiation factors 4B and 4G and ribosomal protein S6 (Morley, S. J., and Traugh, J. A. (1993) Biochimie 75, 985-989) and is due at least in part to multipotential S6 kinase. When elongation factor 1 (EF-1) from rabbit reticulocytes was examined as substrate for multipotential S6 kinase, up to 1 mol/mol of phosphate was incorporated into the alpha, beta, and delta subunits. Phosphorylation of EF-1 resulted in a 2-2. 6-fold stimulation of EF-1 activity, as measured by poly(U)-directed polyphenylalanine synthesis. The rate of elongation was also stimulated by approximately 2-fold with 80 S ribosomes phosphorylated on S6 by multipotential S6 kinase. When the rates of elongation in extracts from serum-fed 3T3-L1 cells and cells serum-deprived for 1.5 h were compared, a 40% decrease was observed upon serum deprivation. The addition of insulin to serum-deprived cells for 15 min stimulated elongation to a rate equivalent to that of serum-fed cells. Similar results were obtained with partially purified EF-1, with both EF-1 and ribosomes contributing to stimulation of elongation. These data are consistent with a ribosomal transit time of 3.2 min for serum-deprived cells and 1.6 min following the addition of insulin for 15 min. Taken together, the data suggest that insulin stimulation involves coordinate regulation of EF-1 and ribosomes through phosphorylation by multipotential S6 kinase.

Biochemical and cellular effects of roscovitine, a potent and selective inhibitor of the cyclin-dependent kinases cdc2, cdk2 and cdk5

Cyclin-dependent kinases (cdk) play an essential role in the intracellular control of the cell division cycle (cdc). These kinases and their regulators are frequently deregulated in human tumours. Enzymatic screening has recently led to the discovery of specific inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases, such as butyrolactone I, flavopiridol and the purine olomoucine. Among a series of C2, N6, N9-substituted adenines tested on purified cdc2/cyclin B, 2-(1-ethyl-2-hydroxyethylamino)-6-benzylamino-9-isopropylpurine (roscovitine) displays high efficiency and high selectivity towards some cyclin-dependent kinases. The kinase specificity of roscovitine was investigated with 25 highly purified kinases (including protein kinase A, G and C isoforms, myosin light-chain kinase, casein kinase 2, insulin receptor tyrosine kinase, c-src, v-abl). Most kinases are not significantly inhibited by roscovitine. cdc2/cyclin B, cdk2/cyclin A, cdk2/cyclin E and cdk5/p35 only are substantially inhibited (IC50 values of 0.65, 0.7, 0.7 and 0.2 microM, respectively). cdk4/cyclin D1 and cdk6/cyclin D2 are very poorly inhibited by roscovitine (IC50 > 100 microM). Extracellular regulated kinases erk1 and erk2 are inhibited with an IC50 of 34 microM and 14 microM, respectively. Roscovitine reversibly arrests starfish oocytes and sea urchin embryos in late prophase. Roscovitine inhibits in vitro M-phase-promoting factor activity and in vitro DNA synthesis in Xenopus egg extracts. It blocks progesterone-induced oocyte maturation of Xenopus oocytes and in vivo phosphorylation of the elongation factor eEF-1. Roscovitine inhibits the proliferation of mammalian cell lines with an average IC50 of 16 microM. In the presence of roscovitine L1210 cells arrest in G1 and accumulate in G2. In vivo phosphorylation of vimentin on Ser55 by cdc2/cyclin B is inhibited by roscovitine. Through its unique selectivity for some cyclin-dependent kinases, roscovitine provides a useful antimitotic reagent for cell cycle studies and may prove interesting to control cells with deregulated cdc2, cdk2 or cdk5 kinase activities.

The guanine-nucleotide-exchange complex (EF-1 beta gamma delta) of elongation factor-1 contains two similar leucine-zipper proteins EF-1 delta, p34 encoded by EF-1 delta 1 and p36 encoded by EF-1 delta 2

We have cloned and sequenced a Xenopus cDNA referred to as EF-1 delta 2. The cDNA is homologous to EF-1 delta 1 encoding for EF-1 delta a protein of the guanine-nucleotide exchange complex of elongation factor-1 (EF-1). The protein sequence deduced from the cDNA, contains the two characteristic features of EF-1 delta protein, the leucine-zipper domain and the guanine-nucleotide exchange domain. In vitro and in vivo translation leads to the production of a 36-kDa protein from EF-1 delta and a 34-kDa protein from EF-1 delta 1. The clone EF-1 delta 2 therefore encodes for authentic p36 protein of EF-1 beta gamma delta complex, while EF-1 delta 1 encodes for a newly characterised p34 protein of the leucine zipper family. Both EF-1 delta proteins are simultaneously present in oocytes extracts, at a molecular ratio around 1:10 for p34 versus p36 proteins. Both are associated in a macromolecular structure that is greater than 750 kDa upon gel filtration. The two proteins are targets for Cdc2 kinase in meiotic maturation.

Phosphorylation of elongation factor 1 (EF-1) by protein kinase C stimulates GDP/GTP-exchange activity

Phosphorylation of the alpha, beta and delta subunits of elongation factor (EF) 1 by protein kinase C results in stimulation of elongation activity up to threefold both in vivo and in vitro [Venema, R. C., Peters, H. I. & Traugh, J. A. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 11,993-11,998, Venema, R. C., Peters, H. I. & Traugh, J. A. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 12,574-12,580]. The alpha subunit catalyzes the GTP-dependent binding of amino-acyl-tRNA to the ribosome, while the beta gamma and delta subunits of EF-1 catalyze exchange of the residual GDP on EF-1 alpha for GTP. To determine whether the change in elongation rate following phosphorylation by protein kinase C is due to stimulation of GDP/GTP exchange activity, EF-1 and EF-1.valyl-tRNA-synthetase have been purified from rabbit reticulocytes, phosphorylated in vitro by protein kinase C and the effect of phosphorylation on nucleotide-exchange activity analyzed. The alpha, beta and delta subunits are phosphorylated only on serine, and phosphopeptide maps show distinct phosphopeptides for each subunit. Following quantitative phosphorylation of EF-1 by protein kinase C on the alpha, beta, and delta subunits, a twofold enhancement of the rate of nucleotide exchange over the non-phosphorylated controls is observed with EF-1 and EF-1.valyl-tRNA synthetase. Stimulation of nucleotide exchange results in a two-fold increase in the formation of EF-1 alpha.GTP.Phe-tRNA, leading to an increased rate of binding of Phe-tRNA to ribosomes. The magnitude of stimulation of the exchange rate is similar to that reported previously for the rate of elongation following phosphorylation of EF-1 by protein kinase C. Thus, the enhancement of EF-1 activity in response to 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate appears to be due to stimulation of the rate of GDP/GTP exchange following phosphorylation of EF-1 by protein kinase C.

Cyclin-dependent protein kinases: key regulators of the eukaryotic cell cycle

Passage through the cell cycle requires the successive activation of different cyclin-dependent protein kinases (CDKs). These enzymes are controlled by transient associations with cyclin regulatory subunits, binding of inhibitory polypeptides and reversible phosphorylation reactions. To promote progression towards DNA replication, CDK/cyclin complexes phosphorylate proteins required for the activation of genes involved in DNA synthesis, as well as components of the DNA replication machinery. Subsequently, a different set of CDK/cyclin complexes triggers the phosphorylation of numerous proteins to promote the profound structural reorganizations that accompany the entry of cells into mitosis. At present, much research is focused on elucidating the links between CDK/cyclin complexes and signal transduction pathways controlling cell growth, differentiation and death. In future, a better understanding of the cell cycle machinery and its deregulation during oncogenesis may provide novel opportunities for the diagnostic and therapeutic management of cancer and other proliferation-related diseases.