p53 activation results in rapid dephosphorylation of the eIF4E-binding protein 4E-BP1, inhibition of ribosomal protein S6 kinase and inhibition of translation initiation

Analysis of the Skin and Brain Transcriptome of Normally Pigmented and Pseudo-Albino Southern Flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) Juveniles to Study the Molecular Mechanisms of Hypopigmentation and Its Implications for Species Survival in the Natural Environment

Southern flounder skin pigmentation is a critical phenotypic characteristic for this species' survival in the natural environment. Normal pigmentation allows rapid changes of color for concealment to capture prey and UV light protection. In contrast, highly visible hypopigmented pseudo-albinos exhibit a compromised immune system and are vulnerable to predation, sensitive to UV exposure, and likely have poor survival in the wild. Skin and brain tissue samples from normally pigmented and hypopigmented individuals were analyzed with next-generation RNA sequencing. A total of 1,589,613 transcripts were used to identify 952,825 genes to assemble a de novo transcriptome, with 99.43% of genes mapped to the assembly. Differential gene expression and gene enrichment analysis of contrasting tissues and phenotypes revealed that pseudo-albino individuals appeared more susceptible to environmental stress, UV light exposure, hypoxia, and osmotic stress. The pseudo-albinos' restricted immune response showed upregulated genes linked to cancer development, signaling and response, skin tissue formation, regeneration, and healing. The data indicate that a modified skin collagen structure likely affects melanocyte differentiation and distribution, generating the pseudo-albino phenotype. In addition, the comparison of the brain transcriptome revealed changes in myelination and melanocyte stem cell activity, which may indicate modified brain function, reduced melanocyte migration, and impaired vision.

Safety and efficacy of dual PI3K-δ, γ inhibitor, duvelisib in patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoid neoplasms: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective clinical trials

Background

Duvelisib is the first FDA-approved oral dual inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase PI3K-delta (PI3K-δ) and PI3K-gamma (PI3K-γ). Although many clinical studies support the efficacy of duvelisib, the safety of duvelisib remains with great attention. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of duvelisib in treating different relapsed or refractory (RR) lymphoid neoplasm types.

Methods

We searched prospective clinical trials from PUBMED, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov. For efficacy analysis, Overall response rate (ORR), complete response rate (CR), partial response rate (PR), rate of stable disease (SDR), rate of progressive disease (PDR), median progression-free survival (mPFS), 12-/24-month PFS, and 12-month overall survival (OS) were assessed. For safety analysis, the incidences of any grade and grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs), serious AEs, and treatment-related discontinuation and death were evaluated. Subgroup analysis based on the disease type was performed.

Results

We included 11 studies and 683 patients, including 305 chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL), 187 B-cell indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (iNHL), 39 B-cell aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (aNHL), and 152 T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (T-NHL) patients. The pooled ORR in CLL/SLL, iNHL, aNHL and T-NHL was 70%, 70%, 28% and 47%, respectively. Additionally, the pooled ORR in CLL/SLL patients with or without TP53 mutation/17p-deletion (62% vs. 74%, p=0.45) and in follicular lymphoma (FL) or other iNHL (69% vs. 57%, p=0.38) had no significant differences. Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) patients had higher pooled ORR than other aNHL (68% vs. 17%, p=0.04). Angioimmunoblastic TCL (AITL) patients had higher pooled ORR than other PTCL patients (67% vs. 42%, p=0.01). The pooled incidence of any grade, grade ≥3, serious AEs, treatment-related discontinuation and death was 99%, 79%, 63%, 33% and 3%, respectively. The most frequent any-grade AEs were diarrhea (47%), ALT/AST increase (39%), and neutropenia (38%). The most frequent grade ≥3 AEs were neutropenia (25%), ALT/AST increased (16%), diarrhea (12%), and anemia (12%).

Conclusion

Generally, duvelisib could offer favorable efficacy in patients with RR CLL/SLL, iNHL, MCL, and AITL. Risk and severity in duvelisib treatment may be mitigated through proper identification and management.

p53-mediated AKT and mTOR inhibition requires RFX7 and DDIT4 and depends on nutrient abundance

In recent years the tumor suppressor p53 has been increasingly recognized as a potent regulator of the cell metabolism and for its ability to inhibit the critical pro-survival kinases AKT and mTOR. The mechanisms through which p53 controls AKT and mTOR, however, are largely unclear. Here, we demonstrate that p53 activates the metabolic regulator DDIT4 indirectly through the regulatory factor X 7 (RFX7). We provide evidence that DDIT4 is required for p53 to inhibit mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2)-dependent AKT activation. Most strikingly, we also find that the DDIT4 regulator RFX7 is required for p53-mediated inhibition of mTORC1 and AKT. Our results suggest that AMPK activation plays no role and p53-mediated AKT inhibition is not critical for p53-mediated mTORC1 inhibition. Moreover, using recently developed physiological cell culture media we uncover that basal p53 and RFX7 activity can play a critical role in restricting mTORC1 activity under physiological nutrient conditions, and we propose a nutrient-dependent model for p53-RFX7-mediated mTORC1 inhibition. These results establish RFX7 and its downstream target DDIT4 as essential effectors in metabolic control elicited by p53.

Transient Exposure of Endothelial Cells to Doxorubicin Leads to Long-Lasting Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 Downregulation

Doxorubicin (Dox) is an effective antineoplastic drug with serious cardiotoxic side effects that persist after drug withdrawal and can lead to heart failure. Dysregulation of vascular endothelium has been linked to the development of Dox-induced cardiotoxicity, but it is unclear whether and how transient exposure to Dox leads to long-term downregulation of Endothelial Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor type2 (VEGFR2), essential for endothelial cells function. Using an in vitro model devised to study the long-lasting effects of brief endothelial cells exposure to Dox, we show that Dox leads to sustained protein synthesis inhibition and VEGFR2 downregulation. Transient Dox treatment led to the development of long-term senescence associated with a reduction in VEGFR2 levels that persisted days after drug withdrawal. By analyzing VEGFR2 turnover, we ruled out that its downregulation was depended on Dox-induced autophagy. Conversely, Dox induced p53 expression, reduced mTOR-dependent translation, and inhibited global protein synthesis. Our data contribute to a mechanistic basis to the permanent damage caused to endothelial cells by short-term Dox treatment.

Busulfan Suppresses Autophagy in Mouse Spermatogonial Progenitor Cells via mTOR of AKT and p53 Signaling Pathways

In testis, a rare undifferentiated germ cell population with the capacity to regenerate robustly and support spermatogenesis, is defined as spermatogonial progenitor cells (SPCs) population. As a widely used drug for tumor therapy or bone marrow transplantation, busulfan has a severe side effect on SPCs population and causes a consequent infertility. Recently, accumulating evidence revealed the protective role of autophagy in stem cell maintenance under exogenous stress. To better understand the role of autophagy in SPCs fates, we investigated the potential function of autophagy in SPCs under busulfan stress, and found that treatment of busulfan induced the formation of autophagic vesicles and autophagosomes in mouse SPCs. Subsequently, a connection of autophagy and SPCs maintenance and survival was demonstrated in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, mTOR was identified as an essential factor for autophagy in SPCs with a complicated mechanism: (1) mTOR is phosphorylated by AKT to activate its target genes, p70s6 kinase, resulting in the inhibition of autophagy during short-term busulfan treatment. (2) mTOR mediates autophagy with p53 together, to regulate the fate of SPCs. Collectively, observations from this study indicate that moderate autophagy effectively protects SPCs from the stress of chemotherapy, which may provide an important hint for fertility protection in clinic.

Synthetic mRNAs; Their Analogue Caps and Contribution to Disease

The structure of synthetic mRNAs as used in vaccination against cancer and infectious diseases contain specifically designed caps followed by sequences of the 5′ untranslated repeats of β-globin gene. The strategy for successful design of synthetic mRNAs by chemically modifying their caps aims to increase resistance to the enzymatic deccapping complex, offer a higher affinity for binding to the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (elF4E) protein and enforce increased translation of their encoded proteins. However, the cellular homeostasis is finely balanced and obeys to specific laws of thermodynamics conferring balance between complexity and growth rate in evolution. An overwhelming and forced translation even under alarming conditions of the cell during a concurrent viral infection, or when molecular pathways are trying to circumvent precursor events that lead to autoimmunity and cancer, may cause the recipient cells to ignore their differential sensitivities which are essential for keeping normal conditions. The elF4E which is a powerful RNA regulon and a potent oncogene governing cell cycle progression and proliferation at a post-transcriptional level, may then be a great contributor to disease development. The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) axis manly inhibits the elF4E to proceed with mRNA translation but disturbance in fine balances between mTOR and elF4E action may provide a premature step towards oncogenesis, ignite pre-causal mechanisms of immune deregulation and cause maturation (aging) defects.

Regulation of ribosomal protein genes: An ordered anarchy

Ribosomal protein genes are among the most highly expressed genes in most cell types. Their products are generally essential for ribosome synthesis, which is the cornerstone for cell growth and proliferation. Many cellular resources are dedicated to producing ribosomal proteins and thus this process needs to be regulated in ways that carefully balance the supply of nascent ribosomal proteins with the demand for new ribosomes. Ribosomal protein genes have classically been viewed as a uniform interconnected regulon regulated in eukaryotic cells by target of rapamycin and protein kinase A pathway in response to changes in growth conditions and/or cellular status. However, recent literature depicts a more complex picture in which the amount of ribosomal proteins produced varies between genes in response to two overlapping regulatory circuits. The first includes the classical general ribosome‐producing program and the second is a gene‐specific feature responsible for fine‐tuning the amount of ribosomal proteins produced from each individual ribosomal gene. Unlike the general pathway that is mainly controlled at the level of transcription and translation, this specific regulation of ribosomal protein genes is largely achieved through changes in pre‐mRNA splicing efficiency and mRNA stability. By combining general and specific regulation, the cell can coordinate ribosome production, while allowing functional specialization and diversity. Here we review the many ways ribosomal protein genes are regulated, with special focus on the emerging role of posttranscriptional regulatory events in fine‐tuning the expression of ribosomal protein genes and its role in controlling the potential variation in ribosome functions.

This article is categorized under:

Translation > Ribosome Biogenesis

Translation > Ribosome Structure/Function

Translation > Translation Regulation

Signaling from mTOR to eIF2α mediates cell migration in response to the chemotherapeutic doxorubicin

After exposure to cytotoxic chemotherapeutics, tumor cells alter their translatome to promote cell survival programs through the regulation of eukaryotic initiation factor 4F (eIF4F) and ternary complex. Compounds that block mTOR signaling and eIF4F complex formation, such as rapamycin and its analogs, have been used in combination therapies to enhance cell killing, although their success has been limited. This is likely because the cross-talk between signaling pathways that coordinate eIF4F regulation with ternary complex formation after treatment with genotoxic therapeutics has not been fully explored. Here, we described a regulatory pathway downstream of p53 in which inhibition of mTOR after DNA damage promoted cross-talk signaling and led to eIF2α phosphorylation. We showed that eIF2α phosphorylation did not inhibit protein synthesis but was instead required for cell migration and that pharmacologically blocking this pathway with either ISRIB or trazodone limited cell migration. These results support the notion that therapeutic targeting of eIF2α signaling could restrict tumor cell metastasis and invasion and could be beneficial to subsets of patients with cancer.

Oxidative stress-mediated TXNIP loss causes RPE dysfunction

The disruption of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), for example, through oxidative damage, is a common factor underlying age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Aberrant autophagy also contributes to AMD pathology, as autophagy maintains RPE homeostasis to ensure blood–retinal barrier (BRB) integrity and protect photoreceptors. Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) promotes cellular oxidative stress by inhibiting thioredoxin reducing capacity and is in turn inversely regulated by reactive oxygen species levels; however, its role in oxidative stress-induced RPE cell dysfunction and the mechanistic link between TXNIP and autophagy are largely unknown. Here, we observed that TXNIP expression was rapidly downregulated in RPE cells under oxidative stress and that RPE cell proliferation was decreased. TXNIP knockdown demonstrated that the suppression of proliferation resulted from TXNIP depletion-induced autophagic flux, causing increased p53 activation via nuclear localization, which in turn enhanced AMPK phosphorylation and activation. Moreover, TXNIP downregulation further negatively impacted BRB integrity by disrupting RPE cell tight junctions and enhancing cell motility by phosphorylating, and thereby activating, Src kinase. Finally, we also revealed that TXNIP knockdown upregulated HIF-1α, leading to the enhanced secretion of VEGF from RPE cells and the stimulation of angiogenesis in cocultured human retinal microvascular endothelial cells. This suggests that the exposure of RPE cells to sustained oxidative stress may promote choroidal neovascularization, another AMD pathology. Together, these findings reveal three distinct mechanisms by which TXNIP downregulation disrupts RPE cell function and thereby exacerbates AMD pathogenesis. Accordingly, reinforcing or restoring BRB integrity by targeting TXNIP may serve as an effective therapeutic strategy for preventing or attenuating photoreceptor damage in AMD.

A protein found in retinal cells promotes the development of age-related macular degeneration and may provide a therapeutic target. Sight loss through macular degeneration is triggered by disruption to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a layer of cells that carries nutrients to the eye. RPE cells can be disrupted under oxidative stress conditions, but how this influences macular degeneration is unclear. Jeong-Ki Min and Sang-Hyun Lee at the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology in Daejeon, South Korea, and co-workers found that oxidative stress reduces levels of the thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) in human RPE cell cultures. This interrupts cellular communication and disturbs the balance between cell proliferation and cell recycling. It also increases the levels of proteins that promote excess blood vessel formation, a key process contributing to macular degeneration.

Mitochondria-hubs for regulating cellular biochemistry: emerging concepts and networks

Mitochondria are iconic structures in biochemistry and cell biology, traditionally referred to as the powerhouse of the cell due to a central role in energy production. However, modern-day mitochondria are recognized as key players in eukaryotic cell biology and are known to regulate crucial cellular processes, including calcium signalling, cell metabolism and cell death, to name a few. In this review, we will discuss foundational knowledge in mitochondrial biology and provide snapshots of recent advances that showcase how mitochondrial function regulates other cellular responses.

ADP sensitizes ZL55 cells to the activity of cisplatin

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive malignant tumor in which cisplatin therapy is commonly used, although its effectiveness is limited. It follows that research efforts dedicated to identify promising combinations that can synergistically kill cancer cells are needed. Because we recently demonstrated that ADP inhibits the proliferation of ZL55 cells, an MPM-derived cell line obtained from bioptic samples of asbestos-exposed patients. Our objective in this study was to investigate the hypothesis that ADP also potentiates the cytotoxic activity of cisplatin. Results show that in ZL55 cells ADP enhanced (a) the cytotoxicity of cisplatin by 12-fold, (b) the restraint of cell clonogenic potential cisplatin-mediated, and (c) the number of apoptotic cells. Cisplatin, but not ADP, caused caspases activation; nevertheless, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 was not only cleaved in cisplatin-treated cells but also in cells treated with ADP alone. Furthermore, ADP, but not cisplatin, decreased mTOR and 6SK phosphorylations. Both ADP and cisplatin increased p53 protein, but ADP was also able to enhance p53 messenger RNA. P53 silencing resulted in a very large decrement of cell death induced by ADP or by cisplatin and reverted ADP effects on mTOR/S6K phosphorylation, suggesting that activated p53 may act as a negative regulator of mTOR. Consistently, the inhibition of mTOR by rapamycin also sensitized cells to cisplatin, and the effects of cisplatin plus rapamycin were identical to those obtained with cisplatin plus ADP. These findings suggest that the combination of ADP and cisplatin may be a promising strategy for the clinical treatment of cisplatin-resistant MPM.

Biological Aspects of mTOR in Leukemia

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a central processor of intra- and extracellular signals, regulating many fundamental cellular processes such as metabolism, growth, proliferation, and survival. Strong evidences have indicated that mTOR dysregulation is deeply implicated in leukemogenesis. This has led to growing interest in the development of modulators of its activity for leukemia treatment. This review intends to provide an outline of the principal biological and molecular functions of mTOR. We summarize the current understanding of how mTOR interacts with microRNAs, with components of cell metabolism, and with controllers of apoptotic machinery. Lastly, from a clinical/translational perspective, we recapitulate the therapeutic results in leukemia, obtained by using mTOR inhibitors as single agents and in combination with other compounds.

40 Years of Research Put p53 in Translation

Since its discovery in 1979, p53 has shown multiple facets. Initially the tumor suppressor p53 protein was considered as a stress sensor able to maintain the genome integrity by regulating transcription of genes involved in cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and DNA repair. However, it rapidly came into light that p53 regulates gene expression to control a wider range of biological processes allowing rapid cell adaptation to environmental context. Among them, those related to cancer have been extensively documented. In addition to its role as transcription factor, scattered studies reported that p53 regulates miRNA processing, modulates protein activity by direct interaction or exhibits RNA-binding activity, thus suggesting a role of p53 in regulating several layers of gene expression not restricted to transcription. After 40 years of research, it appears more and more clearly that p53 is strongly implicated in translational regulation as well as in the control of the production and activity of the translational machinery. Translation control of specific mRNAs could provide yet unsuspected capabilities to this well-known guardian of the genome.

Translation Control by p53

The translation of mRNAs plays a critical role in the regulation of gene expression and therefore, in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Unrestricted initiation of translation causes malignant transformation and plays a key role in the maintenance and progression of cancers. Translation initiation is regulated by the ternary complex and the eukaryotic initiation factor 4F (eIF4F) complex. The p53 tumor suppressor protein is the most well studied mammalian transcription factor that mediates a variety of anti-proliferative processes. Post-transcriptional mechanisms of gene expression in general and those of translation in particular play a major role in shaping the protein composition of the cell. The p53 protein regulates transcription and controls eIF4F, the ternary complex and the synthesis of ribosomal components, including the down-regulation of rRNA genes. In summary, the induction of p53 regulates protein synthesis and translational control to inhibit cell growth.

Heterozygous loss of TSC2 alters p53 signaling and human stem cell reprogramming

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a pediatric disorder of dysregulated growth and differentiation caused by loss of function mutations in either the TSC1 or TSC2 genes, which regulate mTOR kinase activity. To study aberrations of early development in TSC, we generated induced pluripotent stem cells using dermal fibroblasts obtained from patients with TSC. During validation, we found that stem cells generated from TSC patients had a very high rate of integration of the reprogramming plasmid containing a shRNA against TP53. We also found that loss of one allele of TSC2 in human fibroblasts is sufficient to increase p53 levels and impair stem cell reprogramming. Increased p53 was also observed in TSC2 heterozygous and homozygous mutant human stem cells, suggesting that the interactions between TSC2 and p53 are consistent across cell types and gene dosage. These results support important contributions of TSC2 heterozygous and homozygous mutant cells to the pathogenesis of TSC and the important role of p53 during reprogramming.

Post-transcriptional control of stress responses in cancer

The processes by which the canonical protein synthesis machinery is modified by environmental stresses to allow healthy cells to respond to external conditions to maintain homeostasis, are frequently hijacked by tumour cells to enhance their survival. Two major stress response pathways that play a major role in this regard are the unfolded protein response (UPR) and the DNA damage response (DDR). Recent data have shown that key proteins which coordinate post-transcriptional control, and which are regulated by signalling through the UPR and DDR, are upregulated in cancers and that targeting these proteins/pathways will provide new therapeutic avenues for cancer treatments.

mTOR Signaling in Protein Translation Regulation: Implications in Cancer Genesis and Therapeutic Interventions

mTOR is a central nutrient sensor that signals a cell to grow and proliferate. Through distinct protein complexes it regulates different levels of available cellular energy substrates required for cell growth. One of the important functions of the complex is to maintain available amino acid pool by regulating protein translation. Dysregulation of mTOR pathway leads to aberrant protein translation which manifests into various pathological states. Our review focuses on the role mTOR signaling plays in protein translation and its physiological role. It also throws some light on available data that show translation dysregulation as a cause of pathological complexities like cancer and the available drugs that target the pathway for cancer treatment.

The emerging roles of ribosome biogenesis in craniofacial development

Neural crest cells (NCCs) are a transient, migratory cell population, which originates during neurulation at the neural folds and contributes to the majority of tissues, including the mesenchymal structures of the craniofacial skeleton. The deregulation of the complex developmental processes that guide migration, proliferation, and differentiation of NCCs may result in a wide range of pathological conditions grouped together as neurocristopathies. Recently, due to their multipotent properties neural crest stem cells have received considerable attention as a possible source for stem cell based regenerative therapies. This exciting prospect underlines the need to further explore the developmental programs that guide NCC differentiation. This review explores the particular importance of ribosome biogenesis defects in this context since a specific interface between ribosomopathies and neurocristopathies exists as evidenced by disorders such as Treacher-Collins-Franceschetti syndrome (TCS) and Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA).

CHES1/FOXN3 regulates cell proliferation by repressing PIM2 and protein biosynthesis

The expression of the forkhead transcription factor checkpoint suppressor 1 (CHES1), also known as FOXN3, is reduced in many types of cancers. We show here that CHES1 decreases protein synthesis and cell proliferation in tumor cell lines but not in normal fibroblasts. Conversely, short hairpin RNA-mediated depletion of CHES1 increases tumor cell proliferation. Growth suppression depends on the CHES1 forkhead DNA-binding domain and correlates with the nuclear localization of CHES1. CHES1 represses the expression of multiple genes, including the kinases PIM2 and DYRK3, which regulate protein biosynthesis, and a number of genes in cilium biogenesis. CHES1 binds directly to the promoter of PIM2, and in cells expressing CHES1 the levels of PIM2 are reduced, as well as the phosphorylation of the PIM2 target 4EBP1. Overexpression of PIM2 or eIF4E partially reverses the antiproliferative effect of CHES1, indicating that PIM2 and protein biosynthesis are important targets of the antiproliferative effect of CHES1. In several human hematopoietic cancers, CHES1 and PIM2 expressions are inversely correlated, suggesting that repression of PIM2 by CHES1 is clinically relevant.

p53/TAp63 and AKT regulate mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling through two independent parallel pathways in the presence of DNA damage

Under conditions of DNA damage, the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is inhibited, preventing cell cycle progression and conserving cellular energy by suppressing translation. We show that suppression of mTORC1 signaling to 4E-BP1 requires the coordinated activity of two tumor suppressors, p53 and p63. In contrast, suppression of S6K1 and ribosomal protein S6 phosphorylation by DNA damage is Akt-dependent. We find that loss of either p53, required for the induction of Sestrin 1/2, or p63, required for the induction of REDD1 and activation of the tuberous sclerosis complex, prevents the DNA damage-induced suppression of mTORC1 signaling. These data indicate that the negative regulation of cap-dependent translation by mTORC1 inhibition subsequent to DNA damage is abrogated in most human cancers.

Dysregulation of the mTOR pathway in p53-deficient mice

Mammalian or mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is involved in growth, aging, and age-related diseases including cancer. There is an extensive cross talk between p53 and mTOR. In cell culture, p53 inhibits the mTOR pathway in a cell type-dependent manner. p53-deficient mice develop pro-inflammation and cancer. We have shown that rapamycin delayed cancer and extended lifespan, thus partially substituting for p53. Here we show that a marker of mTOR activity, phosphorylated S6 (p-S6), is increased in the hearts of p53-deficient mice. Furthermore, cardiac p-S6 correlated with body weight. Also, p53(-/-) mice were slightly hyperinsulinemic with a tendency to elevated IGF-1. Radiation exacerbated the difference between IGF-1 levels in normal and p53(-/-) mice. Noteworthy, radiation induced Thr-308 Akt phosphorylation in the livers (but not in the hearts) of both p53(+/+) and p53(-/-) mice. Simultaneously, radiation decreased p-S6 in the livers of normal mice, consistent with the negative effect of p53 on mTOR. Our data indicate that the activity of mTOR is increased in some but not all tissues of p53(-/-) mice, associated with the tendency to increased insulin and IGF-1 levels. Therefore, the absence of p53 may create oncophilic microenvironment, favoring cancer.

mTORC1 and p53: clash of the gods?

A balance must be struck between cell growth and stress responses to ensure that cells proliferate without accumulating damaged DNA. This balance means that optimal cell proliferation requires the integration of pro-growth and stress-response pathways. mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin) is a pleiotropic kinase found in complex 1 (mTORC1).The mTORC1 pathway governs a response to mitogenic signals with high energy levels to promote protein synthesis and cell growth. In contrast, the p53DNA damage response pathway is the arbiter of cell proliferation, restraining mTORC1 under conditions of genotoxic stress. Recent studies suggest a complicated integration of these pathways to ensure successful cell growth and proliferation without compromising genome maintenance. Deciphering this integration could be key to understanding the potential clinical usefulness of mTORC1 inhibitors like rapamycin. Here we discuss how these p53-mTORC1 interactions might play a role in the suppression of cancer and perhaps the development of cellular senescence and organismal aging.

Activation of the mTOR pathway by the amino acid (L)-leucine in the 5q- syndrome and other ribosomopathies

Patients with the 5q- syndrome and Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) suffer from a severe macrocytic anemia. The 5q- syndrome and DBA are disorders of aberrant ribosome biogenesis (ribosomopathies) and haploinsufficiency of the ribosomal protein genes RPS14 and RPS19, respectively, underlies the anemia found in these disorders. Erythroblasts obtained from patients with the 5q- syndrome and DBA show impaired mRNA translation and this defect in translation may represent a potential therapeutic target in these ribosomopathies. There are some indications that the amino acid l-leucine, a translation enhancer, may have some efficacy in this group of disorders. Recent studies have shown that l-leucine treatment of zebrafish and murine models of the 5q- syndrome and DBA results in a marked improvement in the anemia. l-leucine treatment of RPS14-deficient and RPS19-deficient erythroblasts and erythroblasts from patients with the 5q- syndrome has been shown to result in an increase in cell proliferation, erythroid differentiation and mRNA translation in culture. l-leucine has been shown to improve hemoglobin levels and transfusion independence in a patient with DBA. l-leucine activates the mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signaling pathway that controls cell growth and mRNA translation. There is evidence to suggest that the promotion of translation via the mTOR pathway by l-leucine is the mechanism that underlies the enhanced erythroid progenitor cell growth and differentiation observed in animal and cellular models of the 5q- syndrome and DBA treated with this amino acid. These data support the rationale for clinical trials of l-leucine as a therapeutic agent for the 5q- syndrome and DBA.

L-Leucine improves the anemia and developmental defects associated with Diamond-Blackfan anemia and del(5q) MDS by activating the mTOR pathway

Haploinsufficiency of ribosomal proteins (RPs) has been proposed to be the common basis for the anemia observed in Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) and myelodysplastic syndrome with loss of chromosome 5q [del(5q) MDS]. We have modeled DBA and del(5q) MDS in zebrafish using antisense morpholinos to rps19 and rps14, respectively, and have demonstrated that, as in humans, haploinsufficient levels of these proteins lead to a profound anemia. To address the hypothesis that RP loss results in impaired mRNA translation, we treated Rps19 and Rps14-deficient embryos with the amino acid L-leucine, a known activator of mRNA translation. This resulted in a striking improvement of the anemia associated with RP loss. We confirmed our findings in primary human CD34⁺ cells, after shRNA knockdown of RPS19 and RPS14. Furthermore, we showed that loss of Rps19 or Rps14 activates the mTOR pathway, and this is accentuated by L-leucine in both Rps19 and Rps14 morphants. This effect could be abrogated by rapamycin suggesting that mTOR signaling may be responsible for the improvement in anemia associated with L-leucine. Our studies support the rationale for ongoing clinical trials of L-leucine as a therapeutic agent for DBA, and potentially for patients with del(5q) MDS.

Coupled activation and degradation of eEF2K regulates protein synthesis in response to genotoxic stress

The kinase eEF2K [eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) kinase] controls the rate of peptide chain elongation by phosphorylating eEF2, the protein that mediates the movement of the ribosome along the mRNA by promoting translocation of the transfer RNA from the A to the P site in the ribosome. eEF2K-mediated phosphorylation of eEF2 on threonine 56 (Thr⁵⁶) decreases its affinity for the ribosome, thereby inhibiting elongation. Here, we show that in response to genotoxic stress, eEF2K was activated by AMPK (adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase)-mediated phosphorylation on serine 398. Activated eEF2K phosphorylated eEF2 and induced a temporary ribosomal slowdown at the stage of elongation. Subsequently, during DNA damage checkpoint silencing, a process required to allow cell cycle reentry, eEF2K was degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome system through the ubiquitin ligase SCF(βTrCP) (Skp1-Cul1-F-box protein, β-transducin repeat-containing protein) to enable rapid resumption of translation elongation. This event required autophosphorylation of eEF2K on a canonical βTrCP-binding domain. The inability to degrade eEF2K during checkpoint silencing caused sustained phosphorylation of eEF2 on Thr⁵⁶ and delayed the resumption of translation elongation. Our study therefore establishes a link between DNA damage signaling and translation elongation.

Actions and interactions of AMPK with insulin, the peroxisomal-proliferator activated receptors and sirtuins

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity responds to a requirement to increase cellular ATP production and/or to conserve available ATP. AMPK is therefore central to the mechanisms of adjustment to fluctuating energy demand or metabolic substrate supply. AMPK has important actions in several insulin-responsive tissues, as well as in the pancreatic β cell, through which it can modulate glycemic control, insulin action and metabolic substrate selection and disposal. We review recent novel findings elucidating the mechanisms by which AMPK activation can correct impaired insulin action. However, we also emphasize not only the similarities, but also the differences in the actions of insulin and AMPK. We focus on metabolic interfaces between AMPK, peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptors, sirtuins and mTORC.

Phospholipase D2 (PLD2) shortens the time required for myeloid leukemic cell differentiation: mechanism of action

Cell differentiation is compromised in acute leukemias. We report that mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and S6 kinase (S6K) are highly expressed in the undifferentiated promyelomonocytic leukemic HL-60 cell line, whereas PLD2 expression is minimal. The expression ratio of PLD2 to mTOR (or to S6K) is gradually inverted upon in vitro induction of differentiation toward the neutrophilic phenotype. We present three ways that profoundly affect the kinetics of differentiation as follows: (i) simultaneous overexpression of mTOR (or S6K), (ii) silencing of mTOR via dsRNA-mediated interference or inhibition with rapamycin, and (iii) PLD2 overexpression. The last two methods shortened the time required for differentiation. By determining how PLD2 participates in cell differentiation, we found that PLD2 interacts with and activates the oncogene Fes/Fps, a protein-tyrosine kinase known to be involved in myeloid cell development. Fes activity is elevated with PLD2 overexpression, phosphatidic acid or phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate. Co-immunoprecipitation indicates a close PLD2-Fes physical interaction that is negated by a Fes-R483K mutant that incapacitates its Src homology 2 domain. All these suggest for the first time the following mechanism: mTOR/S6K down-regulation→PLD2 overexpression→PLD2/Fes association→phosphatidic acid-led activation of Fes kinase→granulocytic differentiation. Differentiation shortening could have a clinical impact on reducing the time of return to normalcy of the white cell counts after chemotherapy in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Eukaryotic type translation initiation factor 2: structure-functional aspects

Translation initiation factor 2 (IF2) is one of key components of the translation initiation system in living cells. In bacteria IF2 is a multidomain monomeric protein, while in eukaryotic and archaean cells e/aIF2 is heterotrimer (αβγ). Data, including our own, on eukaryotic type translation initiation factor 2 (e/aIF2) structure and functioning are presented. There are also new data on initiation factors eIF5 and eIF2B that directly interact with eIF2 and control its participation in nucleotide exchange.

Stress-responsive sestrins link p53 with redox regulation and mammalian target of rapamycin signaling

The tumor suppressor p53 protects organisms from most types of cancer through multiple mechanisms. The p53 gene encodes a stress-activated transcriptional factor that transcriptionally regulates a large set of genes with versatile functions. These p53-activated genes mitigate consequences of stress regulating cell viability, growth, proliferation, repair, and metabolism. Recently, we described a novel antioxidant function of p53, which is important for its tumor suppressor activity. Among the many antioxidant genes activated by p53, Sestrins (Sesns) are critical for suppression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and protection from oxidative stress, transformation, and genomic instability. Sestrins can regulate ROS through their direct effect on antioxidant peroxiredoxin proteins and through the AMP-activated protein kinase-target of rapamycin signaling pathway. The AMP-activated protein kinase-target of rapamycin axis is critical for regulation of metabolism and autophagy, two processes associated with ROS production, and deregulation of this pathway increases vulnerability of the organism to stress, aging, and age-related diseases, including cancer. Recently, we have shown that inactivation of Sestrin in fly causes accumulation of age-associated damage. Hence, Sestrins can link p53 with aging and age-related diseases.

Translational repression of p53 by RNPC1, a p53 target overexpressed in lymphomas

The p53 pathway is critical for tumor suppression, as the majority of human cancer has a faulty p53. Here, we identified RNPC1, a p53 target and a RNA-binding protein, as a critical regulator of p53 translation. We showed that ectopic expression of RNPC1 inhibited, whereas knockdown of RNPC1 increased, p53 translation under normal and stress conditions. We also showed that RNPC1 prevented cap-binding protein eIF4E from binding p53 mRNA via its C-terminal domain for physical interaction with eIF4E, and its N-terminal domain for binding p53 mRNA. Consistent with this, we found that RNPC1 directly binds to p53 5' and 3'untranslated regions (UTRs). Importantly, we showed that RNPC1 inhibits ectopic expression of p53 in a dose-dependent manner via p53 5' or 3' UTR. Moreover, we showed that loss of RNPC1 in mouse embryonic fibroblasts increased the level of p53 protein, leading to enhanced premature senescence in a p53-dependent manner. Finally, to explore the clinical relevance of our finding, we showed that RNPC1 was frequently overexpressed in dog lymphomas, most of which were accompanied by decreased expression of wild-type p53. Together, we identified a novel p53-RNPC1 autoregulatory loop, and our findings suggest that RNPC1 plays a role in tumorigenesis by repressing p53 translation.

Insights into 4E-BP1 and p53 mediated regulation of accelerated cell senescence

Senescence is a valid tumor suppressive mechanism in cancer. Accelerated cell senescence describes the growth arrested state of cells that have been treated with anti-tumor drugs, such as doxorubicin that induce a DNA damage response. Discodermolide, a microtubule-stabilizing agent, is a potent inducer of accelerated cell senescence. Resistance to discodermolide is mediated via resistance to accelerated cell senescence, and is associated with reduced expression of the mTORC1 substrate, 4E-BP1 and increased expression of p53 [1]. Although the association of p53 with senescence induction is well-characterized, senescence reversion in the presence of high expression of p53 has not been well-documented. Furthermore, studies addressing the role of mTOR signaling in regulating senescence have been limited and recent data implicate a novel, senescence-associated role for 4E-BP1 in crosstalk with the transcription factor p53. This research perspective will address these somewhat contradictory findings and summarize recent research regarding senescence and mTORC1 signaling.

Regulation of the mTOR complex 1 pathway by nutrients, growth factors, and stress

The large serine/threonine protein kinase mTOR regulates cellular and organismal homeostasis by coordinating anabolic and catabolic processes with nutrient, energy, and oxygen availability and growth factor signaling. Cells and organisms experience a wide variety of insults that perturb the homeostatic systems governed by mTOR and therefore require appropriate stress responses to allow cells to continue to function. Stress can manifest from an excess or lack of upstream signals or as a result of genetic perturbations in upstream effectors of the pathway. mTOR nucleates two large protein complexes that are important nodes in the pathways that help buffer cells from stresses, and are implicated in the progression of stress-associated phenotypes and diseases, such as aging, tumorigenesis, and diabetes. This review focuses on the key components of the mTOR complex 1 pathway and on how various stresses impinge upon them.

mTORC1 signaling: what we still don't know

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a protein kinase that plays key roles in cellular regulation. It forms complexes with additional proteins. The best-understood one is mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1). The regulation and cellular functions of mTORC1 have been the subjects of intense study; despite this, many questions remain to be answered. They include questions about the actual mechanisms by which mTORC1 signaling is stimulated by hormones and growth factors, which involves the small GTPase Rheb, and by amino acids, which involves other GTPase proteins. The control of Rheb and the mechanism by which it activates mTORC1 remain incompletely understood. Although it has been known for many years that rapamycin interferes with some functions of mTORC1, it is not known how it does this, or why only some functions of mTORC1 are affected. mTORC1 regulates diverse cellular functions. Several mTORC1 substrates are now known, although in several cases their physiological roles are poorly or incompletely understood. In the case of several processes, although it is clear that they are regulated by mTORC1, it is not known how mTORC1 does this. Lastly, mTORC1 is implicated in ageing, but again it is unclear what mechanisms account for this. Given the importance of mTORC1 signaling both for cellular functions and in human disease, it is a high priority to gain further insights into the control of mTORC1 signaling and the mechanisms by which it controls cellular functions and animal physiology.

Cholesterol Perturbation in Mice Results in p53 Degradation and Axonal Pathology through p38 MAPK and Mdm2 Activation

Perturbation of lipid metabolism, especially of cholesterol homeostasis, can be catastrophic to mammalian brain, as it has the highest level of cholesterol in the body. This notion is best illustrated by the severe progressive neurodegeneration in Niemann-Pick Type C (NPC) disease, one of the lysosomal storage diseases, caused by mutations in the NPC1 or NPC2 gene. In this study, we found that growth cone collapse induced by genetic or pharmacological disruption of cholesterol egress from late endosomes/lysosomes was directly related to a decrease in axonal and growth cone levels of the phosphorylated form of the tumor suppressor factor p53. Cholesterol perturbation-induced growth cone collapse and decrease in phosphorylated p53 were reduced by inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and murine double minute (Mdm2) E3 ligase. Growth cone collapse induced by genetic (npc1−/−) or pharmacological modification of cholesterol metabolism was Rho kinase (ROCK)-dependent and associated with increased RhoA protein synthesis; both processes were significantly reduced by P38 MAPK or Mdm2 inhibition. Finally, in vivo ROCK inhibition significantly increased phosphorylated p53 levels and neurofilaments in axons, and axonal bundle size in npc1−/− mice. These results indicate that NPC-related and cholesterol perturbation-induced axonal pathology is associated with an abnormal signaling pathway consisting in p38 MAPK activation leading to Mdm2-mediated p53 degradation, followed by ROCK activation. These results also suggest new targets for pharmacological treatment of NPC disease and other diseases associated with disruption of cholesterol metabolism.

Translation initiation: a critical signalling node in cancer

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a master regulator of translation initiation that controls the recruitment of ribosomes to mRNA templates in response to intracellular and extracellular cues. Evidence suggests that mTOR and its direct downstream targets, S6K and eIF4E/4E-BP, play significant roles in oncogenesis, and that inhibiting this pathway holds promise as an anti-proliferative approach. Recent genome-wide analyses of mutations in human cancers indicate that transformed cells activate a handful of processes and signalling pathways that are major contributors to their phenotype. Here we review the current literature implicating mTOR and translation initiation downstream of many of these various signalling pathways and processes usurped in human cancers. This review highlights the widespread activation of mTOR/eIF4E following acquisition of oncogenic lesions and its implication in promoting the transformation phenotype and indicates that targeting the control of translation initiation makes logical sense as a broad-acting therapeutic approach.

Regulation of protein synthesis by ionizing radiation

Ionizing radiation (IR) is a physiologically important stress to which cells respond by the activation of multiple signaling pathways. Using a panel of immortalized and transformed breast epithelial cell lines, we demonstrate that IR regulation of protein synthesis occurs in nontransformed cells and is lost with transformation. In nontransformed cells, IR rapidly activates the MAP kinases ERK1/2, resulting in an early transient increase in cap-dependent mRNA translation that involves mTOR and is radioprotective, enhancing the translation of a subset of mRNAs encoding proteins involved in DNA repair and cell survival. Following a transient increase in translation, IR-sensitive (nontransformed) cells inhibit cap-dependent protein synthesis through a mechanism that involves activation of p53, induction of Sestrin 1 and 2 genes, and stimulation of AMP kinase, inhibiting mTOR and hypophosphorylating 4E-BP1. IR is shown to block proteasome-mediated decay of 4E-BP1, increasing its abundance and the sequestration of eIF4E. The IR signal that impairs mTOR-dependent protein synthesis at late times is assembly of the DNA damage response machinery, consisting of Mre11, Rad50, and NBS1 (MRN); activation of the MRN complex kinase ATM; and p53. These results link genotoxic signaling from the DNA damage response complex to the control of protein synthesis.

Rapamycin increases the p53/MDM2 protein ratio and p53-dependent apoptosis by translational inhibition of mdm2 in cancer cells

Rapamycin, a potential anti-cancer agent, modulates activity of various factors functioning in translation, including eIF4E, an initiation factor selectively regulating expression of a subset of cellular transcripts. We show here that rapamycin suppresses levels of the p53-regulator MDM2 by translational inhibition without affecting mdm2 mRNA expression or protein stability. Rapamycin inhibits translation of mdm2 mRNA from the constitutive P1 promoter, which contains two upstream ORFs (uORFs) in the 5'UTR. Suppression is accompanied by increased hypo-phosphorylation of 4EBP-1, an inhibitory eIF4E binding protein. Ectopic expression of eIF4E abrogates rapamycin-mediated MDM2 inhibition, suggesting that eIF4E is crucial in modulating MDM2 expression in rapamycin-treated cells. Rapamycin administration also results in elevated PUMA expression and PARP cleavage, which is reproduced by siRNA knockdown of eIF4E or MDM2, suggesting that MDM2 suppression by rapamycin stimulates p53-mediated apoptosis. Together, our results define translational regulation of MDM2 expression by eIF4E and provide a molecular mechanism underlying rapamycin-induced p53-dependent apoptosis.

PKR, a cognitive decline biomarker, can regulate translation via two consecutive molecular targets p53 and Redd1 in lymphocytes of AD patients

In Alzheimer's disease (AD), the control of translation is dysregulated, precisely, two opposite pathways: double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) is up-regulated and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is down-regulated. These biochemical alterations were found at the periphery in lymphocytes of AD patients and were significantly correlated with cognitive and memory test scores. However, the molecular crosslink between these two opposite signalling pathways remains unknown. The tumour suppressor p53 and Redd1 (regulated in development and DNA damage response) could be two downstream targets of active PKR to explain the breakdown of translation in AD patients. In this study, the protein and gene levels of p53 and Redd1 were assayed in lymphocytes of AD patients and in age-matched controls by Western blotting and RT-PCR. Furthermore, correlations were analysed with both the level of active PKR and the Mini Mental State Examination score (MMSE). The results show that the gene and protein levels of p53 and Redd1 were significantly increased about 1.5-fold for both gene and Redd1 protein and 2.3-fold for active p53 in AD lymphocytes compared to age-matched controls. Furthermore, statistical correlations between proteins and genes suggest that active PKR could phosphorylate p53 which could induce the transcription of Redd1 gene. No correlations were found between MMSE scores and levels of p53 or Redd1, contrary to active PKR levels. PKR represents a cognitive decline biomarker able to dysregulate translation via two consecutive targets p53 and Redd1 in AD lymphocytes.

p53 target genes sestrin1 and sestrin2 connect genotoxic stress and mTOR signaling

The tumor suppressor p53 is activated upon genotoxic and oxidative stress and in turn inhibits cell proliferation and growth through induction of specific target genes. Cell growth is positively regulated by mTOR, whose activity is inhibited by the TSC1:TSC2 complex. Although genotoxic stress has been suggested to inhibit mTOR via p53-mediated activation of mTOR inhibitors, the precise mechanism of this link was unknown. We now demonstrate that the products of two p53 target genes, Sestrin1 and Sestrin2, activate the AMP-responsive protein kinase (AMPK) and target it to phosphorylate TSC2 and stimulate its GAP activity, thereby inhibiting mTOR. Correspondingly, Sestrin2-deficient mice fail to inhibit mTOR signaling upon genotoxic challenge. Sestrin1 and Sestrin2 therefore provide an important link between genotoxic stress, p53 and the mTOR signaling pathway.

The dual PI3 kinase/mTOR inhibitor PI-103 prevents p53 induction by Mdm2 inhibition but enhances p53-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis in p53 wild-type AML

Activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/Akt/mammalian target of the rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) pathway and inactivation of wild-type p53 by murine double minute 2 homologue (Mdm2) overexpression are frequent molecular events in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We investigated the interaction of PI3K/Akt/mTOR and p53 pathways after their simultaneous blockade using the dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor PI-103 and the Mdm2 inhibitor Nutlin-3. We found that PI-103, which itself has modest apoptogenic activity, acts synergistically with Nutlin-3 to induce apoptosis in a wild-type p53-dependent fashion. PI-103 synergized with Nutlin-3 to induce Bax conformational change and caspase-3 activation, despite its inhibitory effect on p53 induction. The PI-103/Nutlin-3 combination caused profound dephosphorylation of 4E-BP1 and decreased expression of many proteins including Mdm2, p21, Noxa, Bcl-2 and survivin, which can affect mitochondrial stability. We suggest that PI-103 actively enhances downstream p53 signaling and that a combination strategy aimed at inhibiting PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling and activating p53 signaling is potentially effective in AML, where TP53 mutations are rare and downstream p53 signaling is intact.

Pondering the puzzle of PML (promyelocytic leukemia) nuclear bodies: can we fit the pieces together using an RNA regulon?

The promyelocytic leukemia protein PML and its associated nuclear bodies are hot topics of investigation. This interest arises for multiple reasons including the tight link between the integrity of PML nuclear bodies and several disease states and the impact of the PML protein and PML nuclear bodies on proliferation, apoptosis and viral infection. Unfortunately, an understanding of the molecular underpinnings of PML nuclear body function remains elusive. Here, a general overview of the PML field is provided and is extended to discuss whether some of the basic tenets of "PML-ology" are still valid. For instance, recent findings suggest that some components of PML nuclear bodies form bodies in the absence of the PML protein. Also, a new model for PML nuclear body function is proposed which provides a unifying framework for its effects on diverse biochemical pathways such as Akt signaling and the p53-Mdm2 axis. In this model, the PML protein acts as an inhibitor of gene expression post-transcriptionally via inhibiting a network node in the eIF4E RNA regulon. An example is given for how the PML RNA regulon model provided the basis for the development of a new anti-cancer strategy being tested in the clinic.

Candidate tumor suppressor DDX3 RNA helicase specifically represses cap-dependent translation by acting as an eIF4E inhibitory protein

DDX3 is a human RNA helicase with plethoric functions. Our previous studies have indicated that DDX3 is a transcriptional regulator and functions as a tumor suppressor. In this study, we use a bicistronic reporter to demonstrate that DDX3 specifically represses cap-dependent translation but enhances hepatitis C virus internal ribosome entry site-mediated translation in vivo in a helicase activity-independent manner. To elucidate how DDX3 modulates translation, we identified translation initiation factor eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) as a DDX3-binding partner. Interestingly, DDX3 utilizes a consensus eIF4E-binding sequence YIPPHLR to interact with the functionally important dorsal surface of eIF4E in a similar manner to other eIF4E-binding proteins. Furthermore, cap affinity chromatography analysis suggests that DDX3 traps eIF4E in a translationally inactive complex by blocking interaction with eIF4G. Point mutations within the consensus eIF4E-binding motif in DDX3 impair its ability to bind eIF4E and result in a loss of DDX3's regulatory effects on translation. All these features together indicate that DDX3 is a new member of the eIF4E inhibitory proteins involved in translation initiation regulation. Most importantly, this DDX3-mediated translation regulation also confers the tumor suppressor function on DDX3. Altogether, this study demonstrates regulatory roles and action mechanisms for DDX3 in translation, cell growth and likely viral replication.

Resveratrol-induced apoptosis is associated with activation of p53 and inhibition of protein translation in T47D human breast cancer cells

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Trans-resveratrol (RSVL; 3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene), a natural compound found in grapes, berries, peanuts and red wine exerts certain anticancer roles in different human cancer types. However, the exact molecular mechanism(s) behind such a role remains to be elucidated, thus the aim of this study.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

T47D human breast cancer cells were treated with RSVL and cell proliferation was measured by cell counting. Apoptosis was analyzed by Giemsa staining, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) fragmentation analysis and annexin V assay. Regulation of p53 tumor suppressor protein, p70S6K, and pS6 ribosomal protein was measured by detecting their phosphorylated active forms using ECL-immunoblot analysis.

RESULTS

The present results show that RSVL-induced growth inhibition in T47D cells is caused by apoptosis as demonstrated by morphological changes and PARP fragmentation. RSVL-induced apoptosis is associated with the activation of the p53 in a dose- and a time-dependent manner. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors, wortmannin and LY294002 abolished the effect of RSVL on p53 activation. Interestingly, RSVL inhibits the expression of p70S6K and the phosphorylation of pS6RP.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

These findings demonstrate that RSVL affects multiple intracellular signaling transduction pathways such as p53 activation/protein translation inhibition/apoptosis, and strongly support a contemplated use of this natural compound as a preventive and/or an adjuvant therapeutic drug for breast cancer. The data indicate that these proteins may be used as predictive biomarkers to evaluate the treatment efficacy of RSVL in clinical trials.

The regulation of AMPK beta1, TSC2, and PTEN expression by p53: stress, cell and tissue specificity, and the role of these gene products in modulating the IGF-1-AKT-mTOR pathways

The insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)-AKT-mTOR pathways sense the availability of nutrients and mitogens and respond by signaling for cell growth and division. The p53 pathway senses a variety of stress signals which will reduce the fidelity of cell growth and division, and responds by initiating cell cycle arrest, senescence, or apoptosis. This study explores four p53-regulated gene products, the beta1 and beta2 subunits of the AMPK, which are shown for the first time to be regulated by the p53 protein, TSC2, PTEN, and IGF-BP3, each of which negatively regulates the IGF-1-AKT-mTOR pathways after stress. These gene products are shown to be expressed under p53 control in a cell type and tissue-specific fashion with the TSC2 and PTEN proteins being coordinately regulated in those tissues that use insulin-dependent energy metabolism (skeletal muscle, heart, white fat, liver, and kidney). In addition, these genes are regulated by p53 in a stress signal-specific fashion. The mTOR pathway also communicates with the p53 pathway. After glucose starvation of mouse embryo fibroblasts, AMPK phosphorylates the p53 protein but does not activate any of the p53 responses. Upon glucose starvation of E1A-transformed mouse embryo fibroblasts, a p53-mediated apoptosis ensues. Thus, there is a great deal of communication between the p53 pathway and the IGF-1-AKT and mTOR pathways.

When translation meets transformation: the mTOR story

There is currently a high level of interest in signalling through the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). This reflects both its key role in many cell functions and its involvement in disease states such as cancers. The best understood targets for mTOR signalling are proteins involved in controlling the translational machinery, including the ribosomal protein S6 kinases and proteins that regulate the initiation and elongation phases of translation. Indeed, there is compelling evidence that at least one of these targets of mTOR (eukaryotic initiation factor eIF4E) plays a key role in tumorigenesis. It is regulated through the mTOR-dependent phosphorylation of inhibitory proteins such as eIF4E-binding protein 1. Thus, targeting mTOR signalling may be an effective anticancer strategy, in at least a significant subset of tumours. Not all effects of mTOR are sensitive to the classical anti-mTOR drug rapamycin, and this compound also interferes with other processes besides eIF4E function. Developing new approaches to targeting mTOR for cancer therapy requires more detailed knowledge of signalling downstream of mTOR. Such advances are likely to come from further work to understand the regulation of mTOR targets such as components of the translational apparatus.

Apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) inhibits protein synthesis by interacting with the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit p44 (eIF3g)

Apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) is a ubiquitous FAD-binding flavoprotein comprised of 613 amino acids and plays an important role in caspase-independent apoptosis. During apoptotic induction, AIF is translocated from the mitochondrial intermembrane space to the nucleus, where it interacts with DNA and activates a nuclear endonuclease. By performing a yeast two-hybrid screen with mature AIF, we have isolated the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit p44 (eIF3g). Our deletion mutant analysis revealed that the eIF3g N-terminus interacts with the C-terminal region of AIF. The direct interaction between AIF and eIF3g was confirmed in a GST pull-down assay and also verified by the results of co-immunoprecipitation and confocal microscopy studies. Using an in vitro TNT coupled transcription-translation system, we found that mature AIF could inhibit newly-translated protein synthesis and this inhibition was significantly blocked by eIF3g competitively. These results were also confirmed in cells. In addition, mature AIF overexpression specifically resulted in the activation of caspase-7, thereby amplifying the inhibition of protein synthesis including eIF3g cleavage. Our data suggest that eIF3g is one of the cytosolic targets that interacts with mature AIF, and provide insight into the AIF's cellular functions of the inhibition of protein synthesis during apoptosis.

Upstream of the mammalian target of rapamycin: do all roads pass through mTOR?

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that controls many aspects of cellular physiology, including transcription, translation, cell size, cytoskeletal organization and autophagy. Recent advances in the mTOR signaling field have found that mTOR exists in two heteromeric complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2. The activity of mTORC1 is regulated by the integration of many signals, including growth factors, insulin, nutrients, energy availability and cellular stressors such as hypoxia, osmotic stress, reactive oxygen species and viral infection. In this review we highlight recent advances in the mTOR signaling field that relate to how the two mTOR complexes are regulated, and we discuss stress conditions linked to the mTOR signaling network that have not been extensively covered in other reviews. Given the diversity of signals that have been shown to impinge on mTOR, we also speculate on other signal-transduction pathways that may be linked to mTOR in the future.