Stoichiometry of the eIF2B complex is maintained by mutual stabilization of subunits

Human Tissues Exhibit Diverse Composition of Translation Machinery

While protein synthesis is vital for the majority of cell types of the human body, diversely differentiated cells require specific translation regulation. This suggests the specialization of translation machinery across tissues and organs. Using transcriptomic data from GTEx, FANTOM, and Gene Atlas, we systematically explored the abundance of transcripts encoding translation factors and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSases) in human tissues. We revised a few known and identified several novel translation-related genes exhibiting strict tissue-specific expression. The proteins they encode include eEF1A1, eEF1A2, PABPC1L, PABPC3, eIF1B, eIF4E1B, eIF4ENIF1, and eIF5AL1. Furthermore, our analysis revealed a pervasive tissue-specific relative abundance of translation machinery components (e.g., PABP and eRF3 paralogs, eIF2B and eIF3 subunits, eIF5MPs, and some ARSases), suggesting presumptive variance in the composition of translation initiation, elongation, and termination complexes. These conclusions were largely confirmed by the analysis of proteomic data. Finally, we paid attention to sexual dimorphism in the repertoire of translation factors encoded in sex chromosomes (eIF1A, eIF2γ, and DDX3), and identified the testis and brain as organs with the most diverged expression of translation-associated genes.

Systemic Sclerosis-Specific Antibodies: Novel and Classical Biomarkers

Disease-specific autoantibodies are considered the most important biomarkers for systemic sclerosis (SSc), due to their ability to stratify patients with different severity and prognosis. Anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA), occurring in subjects with isolated Raynuad's phenomenon, are considered the strongest independent predictors of definite SSc and digital microvascular damage, as observed by nailfold videocapillaroscopy. ANA are present in more than 90% of SSc, but ANA negativity does not exclude SSc diagnosis: a little rate of SSc ANA negative exists and shows a distinct subtype of disease, with less vasculopathy, but more frequent lower gastrointestinal involvement and severe disease course. Anti-centromere, anti-Th/To, and anti-Topoisomerase I antibodies could be considered as classical biomarkers, covering about 60% of SSc and defining patients with well-described cardio-pulmonary complications. In particular, anti-Topoisomerase I represent a risk factor for development of diffuse cutaneous involvement and digital ulcers in the first 3 years of disease, as well as severe interstitial lung disease (ILD). Anti-RNA polymerase III is a biomarker with new clinical implications: very rapid skin thickness progression, gastric antral vascular ectasia, the occurrence of synchronous cancers, and possible association with silicone breast implants rupture. Moreover, novel SSc specific autoantibodies have been globally described in about 10% of "seronegative" SSc patients: anti-elF2B, anti-RuvBL1/2 complex, anti-U11/U12 RNP, and anti-BICD2 depict specific SSc subtypes with severe organ complications. Many autoantibodies could be considered markers of overlap syndromes, including SSc. Anti-Ku are found in 2-7% of SSc, strictly defining the PM/SSc overlap. They are associated with synovitis, joint contractures, myositis, and negatively associated with vascular manifestation of disease. Anti-U3RNP are associated with a well-defined clinical phenotype: Afro-Caribbean male patients, younger at diagnosis, and higher risk of pulmonary hypertension and gastrointestinal involvement. Anti-PM/Scl define SSc patients with high frequency of ILD, calcinosis, dermatomyositis skin changes, and severe myositis. The accurate detection of autoantibodies SSc specific and associated with overlap syndromes is crucial for patients' stratification. ANA should be correctly identified using indirect immunofluorescent assay and a standardized way of patterns' interpretation. The gold-standard technique for autoantibodies' identification in SSc is still considered immunoprecipitation, for its high sensitivity and specificity, but other assays have been widely used in routine practice. The identification of SSc autoantibodies with high diagnostic specificity and high predictive value is mandatory for early diagnosis, a specific follow-up and the possible definition of the best therapy for every SSc subsets. In addition, the validation of novel autoantibodies is mandatory in wider cohorts in order to restrict the gap of so-called seronegative SSc patients.

Regulation and function of elF2B in neurological and metabolic disorders

Eukaryotic initiation factor 2B, eIF2B is a guanine nucleotide exchange, factor with a central role in coordinating the initiation of translation. During stress and disease, the activity of eIF2B is inhibited via the phosphorylation of its substrate eIF2 (p-eIF2α). A number of different kinases respond to various stresses leading to the phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of eIF2, and collectively this regulation is known as the integrated stress response, ISR. This targeting of eIF2B allows the cell to regulate protein synthesis and reprogramme gene expression to restore homeostasis. Advances within structural biology have furthered our understanding of how eIF2B interacts with eIF2 in both the productive GEF active form and the non-productive eIF2α phosphorylated form. Here, current knowledge of the role of eIF2B in the ISR is discussed within the context of normal and disease states focusing particularly on diseases such as vanishing white matter disease (VWMD) and permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus (PNDM), which are directly linked to mutations in eIF2B. The role of eIF2B in synaptic plasticity and memory formation is also discussed. In addition, the cellular localisation of eIF2B is reviewed and considered along with the role of additional in vivo eIF2B binding factors and protein modifications that may play a role in modulating eIF2B activity during health and disease.

A point mutation in the nucleotide exchange factor eIF2B constitutively activates the integrated stress response by allosteric modulation

In eukaryotic cells, stressors reprogram the cellular proteome by activating the integrated stress response (ISR). In its canonical form, stress-sensing kinases phosphorylate the eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF2 (eIF2-P), which ultimately leads to reduced levels of ternary complex required for initiation of mRNA translation. Previously we showed that translational control is primarily exerted through a conformational switch in eIF2's nucleotide exchange factor, eIF2B, which shifts from its active A-State conformation to its inhibited I-State conformation upon eIF2-P binding, resulting in reduced nucleotide exchange on eIF2 (Schoof et al. 2021). Here, we show functionally and structurally how a single histidine to aspartate point mutation in eIF2B's β subunit (H160D) mimics the effects of eIF2-P binding by promoting an I-State like conformation, resulting in eIF2-P independent activation of the ISR. These findings corroborate our previously proposed A/I-State model of allosteric ISR regulation.

Correlation Between Genotype and Age of Onset in Leukoencephalopathy With Vanishing White Matter

Purpose: Leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter (VWM) is an autosomal recessive leukoencephalopathy caused by mutations in any of the five genes encoding the subunits of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2B (eIF2B). The severity of the disease varies considerably, and its genotypic-phenotypic correlation is still unclear. Age of onset is the only independent clinical predictor for VWM severity. In this study, the correlation between genotype and age at onset of patients was investigated.

Methods: Data were collected from patients with VWM in the available literature reports and from those diagnosed in Peking University First Hospital. The age of onset was divided into early-onset (≤4 years) and late-onset type (>4 years) for the analysis of the correlation between genotype and age of onset in patients with VWM.

Results: A total of 341 patients were included, 281 were reported in 87 available articles and 60 were diagnosed in our center. A total of 180 different mutations were found, among which 86.1% were missense. The gene (EIF2B1-5) in which the mutation located, and the number of null alleles were not associated with age of onset in these patients. Certain mutations such as eIF2Bε[Arg195His] and eIF2Bε[Arg269Gln] that were predicted to have a serious influence on eIF2B structure were related to earlier age of onset. EIF2Bγ[Ala87Val] which was predicted to have a minimal influence on eIF2B structure, was related to later age of onset. Whereas eIF2Bβ[Glu213Gly], eIF2Bβ[Gly200Val] and eIF2Bε[Thr91Ala], also predicted having a small effect on the structure of eIF2B, did not show correlation with the age of onset. The onset age of patients with one or biallelic missense mutations located in the catalytic domain or other homologous domains in catalytic subunits (eIF2Bγ, ε) was earlier than that of patients with biallelic mutations located in the NT domain.

Conclusion: The onset age of patients with different genotypes varied greatly. The degree of influence in protein structure of some missense mutations was correlated with phenotypic severity, but the results were not completely consistent. The combined effect of biallelic mutations, the role of regulatory genes, environmental stress and other potential factors on phenotypes need to be further explored.

Mutational analysis of the alpha subunit of eIF2B provides insights into the role of eIF2B bodies in translational control and VWM disease

Eukaryotic initiation factor 2B (eIF2B) serves as a vital control point within protein synthesis and regulates translation initiation in response to cellular stress. Mutations within eIF2B result in the fatal disease, leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter (VWM). Previous biochemical studies on VWM mutations have illustrated that changes in the activity of eIF2B poorly correlate with disease severity. This suggests that there may be additional characteristics of eIF2B contributing to VWM pathogenesis. Here, we investigated whether the localization of eIF2B to eIF2B bodies was integral for function and whether this localization could provide insight into the pathogenesis of VWM. We demonstrate that the regulatory subunit, eIF2Bα, is required for the assembly of eIF2B bodies in yeast and that loss of eIF2B bodies correlates with an inability of cells to regulate eIF2B activity. Mutational analysis of eIF2Bα showed that missense mutations that disrupt the regulation of eIF2B similarly disrupt the assembly of eIF2B bodies. In contrast, when eIF2Bα mutations that impact the catalytic activity of eIF2B were analyzed, eIF2B bodies were absent and instead eIF2B localized to small foci, termed microfoci. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching analysis highlighted that within these microfoci, eIF2 shuttles more slowly indicating that formation of eIF2B bodies correlates with full eIF2B activity. When eIF2Bα VWM mutations were analyzed, a diverse impact on localization was observed, which did not seem to correlate with eIF2B activity. These findings provide key insights into how the eIF2B body assembles and suggest that the body is a fundamental part of the translational regulation via eIF2α phosphorylation.

Vanishing white matter disease expression of truncated EIF2B5 activates induced stress response

Vanishing white matter disease (VWM) is a severe leukodystrophy of the central nervous system caused by mutations in subunits of the eukaryotic initiation factor 2B complex (eIF2B). Current models only partially recapitulate key disease features, and pathophysiology is poorly understood. Through development and validation of zebrafish (Danio rerio) models of VWM, we demonstrate that zebrafish eif2b mutants phenocopy VWM, including impaired somatic growth, early lethality, effects on myelination, loss of oligodendrocyte precursor cells, increased apoptosis in the CNS, and impaired motor swimming behavior. Expression of human EIF2B2 in the zebrafish eif2b2 mutant rescues lethality and CNS apoptosis, demonstrating conservation of function between zebrafish and human. In the mutants, intron 12 retention leads to expression of a truncated eif2b5 transcript. Expression of the truncated eif2b5 in wild-type larva impairs motor behavior and activates the ISR, suggesting that a feed-forward mechanism in VWM is a significant component of disease pathophysiology.

eIF2B and the Integrated Stress Response: A Structural and Mechanistic View

The eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF2 is a GTPase, which brings the initiator Met-tRNA_i to the ribosome as the eIF2-GTP·Met-tRNA_i ternary complex (TC). TC regeneration is catalyzed by the guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) eIF2B. eIF2 phosphorylation by several stress-induced kinases converts it into a competitive inhibitor of eIF2B. Inhibition of eIF2B activity lowers cellular TC concentrations, which in turn triggers the integrated stress response (ISR). Depending on its degree of activation and duration, the ISR protects the cell from the stress or can itself induce apoptosis. ISR dysregulation is a causative factor in the pathology of multiple neurodegenerative disorders, while ISR inhibitors are neuroprotective. The realization that eIF2B is a promising therapeutic target has triggered significant interest in its structure and its mechanisms of action and regulation. Recently, four groups published the cryo-electron microscopy structures of eIF2B with its substrate eIF2 and/or its inhibitor, phosphorylated eIF2 [eIF2(α-P)]. While all three structures of the nonproductive eIF2B·eIF2(α-P) complex are similar to each other, there is a sharp disagreement between the published structures of the productive eIF2B·eIF2 complex. One group reports a structure similar to that of the nonproductive complex, whereas two others observe a vastly different eIF2B·eIF2 complex. Here, we discuss the recent reports on the structure, function, and regulation of eIF2B; the preclinical data on the use of ISR inhibitors for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders; and how the new structural and biochemical information can inform and influence the use of eIF2B as a therapeutic target.

The small molecule ISRIB rescues the stability and activity of Vanishing White Matter Disease eIF2B mutant complexes

eIF2B is a dedicated guanine nucleotide exchange factor for eIF2, the GTPase that is essential to initiate mRNA translation. The integrated stress response (ISR) signaling pathway inhibits eIF2B activity, attenuates global protein synthesis and upregulates a set of stress-response proteins. Partial loss-of-function mutations in eIF2B cause a neurodegenerative disorder called Vanishing White Matter Disease (VWMD). Previously, we showed that the small molecule ISRIB is a specific activator of eIF2B (Sidrauski et al., 2015). Here, we report that various VWMD mutations destabilize the decameric eIF2B holoenzyme and impair its enzymatic activity. ISRIB stabilizes VWMD mutant eIF2B in the decameric form and restores the residual catalytic activity to wild-type levels. Moreover, ISRIB blocks activation of the ISR in cells carrying these mutations. As such, ISRIB promises to be an invaluable tool in proof-of-concept studies aiming to ameliorate defects resulting from inappropriate or pathological activation of the ISR.

Mutant eIF2B leads to impaired mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in vanishing white matter disease

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2B (eIF2B) is a master regulator of protein synthesis under normal and stress conditions. Mutations in any of the five genes encoding its subunits lead to vanishing white matter (VWM) disease, a recessive genetic deadly illness caused by progressive loss of white matter in the brain. In this study we used fibroblasts, which are not involved in the disease, to demonstrate the involvement of eIF2B in mitochondrial function and abundance. Mass spectrometry of total proteome of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) isolated from Eif2b5^R132H/R132H mice revealed unbalanced stoichiometry of proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation and of mitochondrial translation machinery components, among others. Mutant MEFs exhibit 55% decrease in oxygen consumption rate per mtDNA content and 47% increase in mitochondrial abundance (p < 0.005), reflecting adaptation to energy requirements. A more robust eIF2B-associated oxidative respiration deficiency was found in mutant primary astrocytes, which exhibit > 3-fold lower ATP-linked respiration per cell despite a 2-fold increase in mtDNA content (p < 0.03). The 2-fold increase in basal and stimulated glycolysis in mutant astrocytes (p ≤ 0.03), but not in MEFs, demonstrates their higher energetic needs and further explicates their involvement in the disease. The data demonstrate the critical role of eIF2B in tight coordination of expression from nuclear and mitochondrial genomes and illuminates the importance of mitochondrial function in VWM pathology. Further dissection of the signaling network associated with eIF2B function will help generating therapeutic strategies for VWM disease and possibly other neurodegenerative disorders.