Insulin and phorbol ester stimulate initiation factor eIF-4E phosphorylation by distinct pathways in Chinese hamster ovary cells overexpressing the insulin receptor

Therapeutic targeting of eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4E

Fundamental studies unraveled the role of eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4E in mRNA translation and its control. Under physiological conditions, regulation of translation by eIF4E is essential to cellular homeostasis. Under stress, gene flow information is parsed by eIF4E to support adaptive mechanisms that favor cell survival. Dysregulated eIF4E activity fuels tumor formation and progression and modulates response to therapy. Thus, there has been heightened interest in understanding eIF4E function in controlling gene expression as well as developing strategies to block its activity to treat disease.

Small-molecule induction of phospho-eIF4E sumoylation and degradation via targeting its phosphorylated serine 209 residue

As phospho-eIF4E (p-eIF4E), unlike total eIF4E (t-eIF4E) essential for normal cells, is specifically required by cancer cells, it is an attractive, yet unrealized, target for anti-tumor intervention. Here we identify a small molecule, homoharringtonine (HHT), that antagonizes p-eIF4E function and eradicates acute myeloid leukemia (AML) expressing high level of p-eIF4E in vitro and in vivo. HHT selectively reduces p-eIF4E levels of leukemia cells without affecting t-eIF4E. HHT targets the phosphorylated serine 209 residue of p-eIF4E and induces p-eIF4E oligomerization, which enhances its interaction with the small ubiquitin-like protein modifier (SUMO)-conjugating enzyme UBC9, resulting in proteasome-dependent degradation of p-eIF4E via SUMO2/3-mediated SUMOylation. These results suggest that the phosphorylated serine 209 residue of p-eIF4E might be a potential target for developing small molecule-based new therapies for leukemia.

Identification of a novel RNA giant nuclear body in cancer cells

Constitutive synthesis of oncogenic mRNAs is essential for maintaining the uncontrolled growth of cancer cells. However, little is known about how these mRNAs are exported from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Here, we report the identification of a RNA giant nuclear body (RNA-GNB) that is abundant in cancer cells but rare in normal cells. The RNA-GNB contains a RNA core surrounded by a protein shell. We identify 782 proteins from cancer-associated RNA-GNBs, 40% of which are involved in the nuclear mRNA trafficking. RNA-GNB is required for cell proliferation, and its abundance is positively associated with tumor burden and outcome of therapies. Our findings suggest that the RNA-GNB is a novel nuclear RNA trafficking organelle that may contribute to the nuclear mRNA exporting and proliferation of cancer cells.

Inhibition of Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase (MAPK)-interacting Kinase (MNK) Preferentially Affects Translation of mRNAs Containing Both a 5'-Terminal Cap and Hairpin

The MAPK-interacting kinases 1 and 2 (MNK1 and MNK2) are activated by extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) or p38 in response to cellular stress and extracellular stimuli that include growth factors, cytokines, and hormones. Modulation of MNK activity affects translation of mRNAs involved in the cell cycle, cancer progression, and cell survival. However, the mechanism by which MNK selectively affects translation of these mRNAs is not understood. MNK binds eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4G (eIF4G) and phosphorylates the cap-binding protein eIF4E. Using a cell-free translation system from rabbit reticulocytes programmed with mRNAs containing different 5'-ends, we show that an MNK inhibitor, CGP57380, affects translation of only those mRNAs that contain both a cap and a hairpin in the 5'-UTR. Similarly, a C-terminal fragment of human eIF4G-1, eIF4G(1357-1600), which prevents binding of MNK to intact eIF4G, reduces eIF4E phosphorylation and inhibits translation of only capped and hairpin-containing mRNAs. Analysis of proteins bound to m(7)GTP-Sepharose reveals that both CGP and eIF4G(1357-1600) decrease binding of eIF4E to eIF4G. These data suggest that MNK stimulates translation only of mRNAs containing both a cap and 5'-terminal RNA duplex via eIF4E phosphorylation, thereby enhancing the coupled cap-binding and RNA-unwinding activities of eIF4F.

eIF4E phosphorylation promotes tumorigenesis and is associated with prostate cancer progression

Translational regulation plays a critical role in the control of cell growth and proliferation. A key player in translational control is eIF4E, the mRNA 5' cap-binding protein. Aberrant expression of eIF4E promotes tumorigenesis and has been implicated in cancer development and progression. The activity of eIF4E is dysregulated in cancer. Regulation of eIF4E is partly achieved through phosphorylation. However, the physiological significance of eIF4E phosphorylation in mammals is not clear. Here, we show that knock-in mice expressing a nonphosphorylatable form of eIF4E are resistant to tumorigenesis in a prostate cancer model. By using a genome-wide analysis of translated mRNAs, we show that the phosphorylation of eIF4E is required for translational up-regulation of several proteins implicated in tumorigenesis. Accordingly, increased phospho-eIF4E levels correlate with disease progression in patients with prostate cancer. Our findings establish eIF4E phosphorylation as a critical event in tumorigenesis. These findings raise the possibility that chemical compounds that prevent the phosphorylation of eIF4E could act as anticancer drugs.

The ERK1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway as a master regulator of the G1- to S-phase transition

The Ras-dependent extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway plays a central role in cell proliferation control. In normal cells, sustained activation of ERK1/ERK2 is necessary for G1- to S-phase progression and is associated with induction of positive regulators of the cell cycle and inactivation of antiproliferative genes. In cells expressing activated Ras or Raf mutants, hyperactivation of the ERK1/2 pathway elicits cell cycle arrest by inducing the accumulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms by which activated ERK1/ERK2 regulate growth and cell cycle progression of mammalian somatic cells. We also highlight the findings obtained from gene disruption studies.

Mnk1 is required for angiotensin II-induced protein synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells

Angiotensin II (Ang II) stimulates protein synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), possibly secondary to regulatory changes at the initiation of mRNA translation. Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signal-integrating kinase-1 (Mnk1), a substrate of ERK and p38 MAP kinase, phosphorylates eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), an important factor in translation. The goal of the present study was to investigate the role of Mnk1 in Ang II-induced protein synthesis and to characterize the molecular mechanisms by which Mnk1 and eIF4E is activated in rat VSMCs. Ang II treatment resulted in increased Mnk1 activity and eIF4E phosphorylation. Expression of a dominant-negative Mnk1 mutant abolished Ang II-induced eIF4E phosphorylation. PD98059 or introduction of kinase-inactive MEK1/MKK1, but not SB202190 or kinase-inactive p38 MAP kinase, inhibited Ang II-induced Mnk1 activation and eIF4E phosphorylation, suggesting that ERK, but not p38 MAP kinase, is required for Ang II-induced Mnk1-eIF4E activation. Further, dominant-negative constructs for Ras, but not for Rho, Rac, or Cdc42, abolished Ang II-induced Mnk1 activation. Finally, treatment of VSMCs with CGP57380, a novel specific kinase inhibitor of Mnk1, resulted in dose-dependent decreases in Ang II-stimulated phosphorylation of eIF4E, protein synthesis, and VSMC hypertrophy. In summary, these data demonstrated that (1) Ang II-induced Mnk1 activation is mediated by the Ras-ERK cascade in VSMCs, and (2) Mnk1 is involved in Ang II-mediated protein synthesis and hypertrophy, presumably through the activation of translation-initiation. The Mnk1-eIF4E pathway may provide new insights into molecular mechanisms involved in vascular hypertrophy and other Ang II-mediated pathological states.

Regulation of targets of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signalling by intracellular amino acid availability

In mammalian cells, amino acids affect the phosphorylation state and function of several proteins involved in mRNA translation that are regulated via the rapamycin-sensitive mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) pathway. These include ribosomal protein S6 kinase, S6K1, and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein, 4E-BP1. Amino acids, especially branched-chain amino acids, such as leucine, promote phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 and S6K1, and permit insulin to further increase their phosphorylation. However, it is not clear whether these effects are exerted by extracellular or intracellular amino acids. Inhibition of protein synthesis is expected to increase the intracellular level of amino acids, whereas inhibiting proteolysis has the opposite effect. We show in the present study that inhibition of protein synthesis by any of several protein synthesis inhibitors tested allows insulin to regulate 4E-BP1 or S6K1 in amino-acid-deprived cells, as does the addition of amino acids to the medium. In particular, insulin activates S6K1 and promotes initiation factor complex assembly in amino-acid-deprived cells treated with protein synthesis inhibitors, but cannot do so in the absence of these compounds. Their effects occur at concentrations commensurate with their inhibition of protein synthesis and are not due to activation of stress-activated kinase cascades. Inhibition of protein breakdown (autophagy) impairs the ability of insulin to regulate 4E-BP1 or S6K1 under such conditions. These and other data presented in the current study are consistent with the idea that it is intracellular amino acid levels that regulate mTOR signalling.

Regulation of protein synthesis by IGF-I in proximal tubular epithelial cells

Protein synthesis is required for renal hypertrophy, and proximal tubular epithelial cells are an important cell type involved in this process. We examined IGF-I regulation of protein synthesis in murine proximal tubular epithelial (MCT) cells. We focused on initial events in protein translation and the signaling events involved. Translation of capped mRNAs is under the control of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E). In the resting cell, eIF4E is normally kept in an inactive state by binding to 4E-BP1, its binding protein. Phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 results in dissociation of the eIF4E-4E-BP1 complex allowing eIF4E to initiate peptide synthesis. IGF-I stimulated protein synthesis, augmented phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 and promoted the dissociation of eIF4E from 4E-BP1. IGF-I stimulated the activities of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase, Akt, and ERK1/2-type MAPK in MCT cells. IGF-I-induced phosphorylation of 4E-BP1, dissociation of the 4E-BP1-eIF4E complex, and increase in protein synthesis required activation of both PI 3-kinase and ERK pathways. Furthermore, ERK activation by IGF-I was also PI 3-kinase dependent. Transfection with the Thr37,46-->Ala37,46 mutant of 4E-BP1 showed that phosphorylation of Thr37,46 residues was required for IGF-I induction of protein synthesis in MCT cells. Our observations reveal the importance of initial events in protein translation in IGF-I-induced protein synthesis in MCT cells and identify the regulatory signaling pathways involved.

ATP depletion increases phosphorylation of elongation factor eEF2 in adult cardiomyocytes independently of inhibition of mTOR signalling

Translation elongation consumes a high proportion of cellular energy and can be regulated by phosphorylation of elongation factor eEF2 which inhibits its activity. We have studied the effects of ATP depletion on the phosphorylation of eEF2 in adult rat ventricular cardiomyocytes. Energy depletion rapidly leads to inhibition of protein synthesis and increased phosphorylation of eEF2. Stimulation of the AMP-activated protein kinase also causes increases eEF2 phosphorylation. Only at later times is an effect on mTOR signalling observed. These data suggest that energy depletion leads to inhibition of protein synthesis through phosphorylation of eEF2 independently of inhibition of mTOR signalling.

Activation of multiple signaling modules is critical in angiotensin IV-induced lung endothelial cell proliferation

Signaling events involving angiotensin IV (ANG IV)-mediated pulmonary artery endothelial cell (PAEC) proliferation were examined. ANG IV significantly increased upstream phosphatidylinositide (PI) 3-kinase (PI3K), PI-dependent kinase-1 (PDK-1), extracellular signal-related kinases (ERK1/2), and protein kinase B-alpha/Akt (PKB-alpha) activities, as well as downstream p70 ribosomal S6 kinase (p70S6K) activities and/or phosphorylation of these proteins. ANG IV also significantly increased 5-bromo-2'-deoxy-uridine incorporation into newly synthesized DNA in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Pretreatment of cells with wortmannin and LY-294002, inhibitors of PI3K, or rapamycin, an inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin kinase and p70S6K, diminished the ANG IV-mediated activation of PDK-1 and PKB-alpha as well as phosphorylation of p70S6K. Although an inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase, PD-98059, but not rapamycin, blocked ANG IV-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2, both PD-98059 and rapamycin independently caused partial reduction in ANG IV-mediated cell proliferation. However, simultaneous treatment with PD-98059 and rapamycin resulted in total inhibition of ANG IV-induced cell proliferation. These results demonstrate that ANG IV-induced DNA synthesis is regulated in a coordinated fashion involving multiple signaling modules in PAEC.

EGF receptor transactivation is obligatory for protein synthesis stimulation by G protein-coupled receptors

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was recently identified as a signal transducer of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). In this study, we have examined the contribution of EGFR transactivation to the growth-promoting effect of GPCRs on vascular smooth muscle cells. Activation of the G(q)-coupled ANG II receptor or G(i)-coupled lysophosphatidic acid receptor resulted in increased tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of EGFR. Specific inhibition of EGFR kinase activity by tyrphostin AG-1478 or expression of a dominant-negative EGFR mutant abolished this response. Importantly, inhibition of EGFR function strongly attenuated the global stimulation of protein synthesis by GPCR agonists in vitro in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells and in vivo in the rat aorta and in small resistance arteries. The growth inhibition was associated with a marked reduction of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathway activity and the resulting suppression of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E and 4E binding protein 1 phosphorylation. Our results demonstrate that EGFR transactivation is a physiologically relevant action of GPCRs linked to translational control and protein synthesis.

Cellular stresses profoundly inhibit protein synthesis and modulate the states of phosphorylation of multiple translation factors

We have examined the effects of widely used stress-inducing agents on protein synthesis and on regulatory components of the translational machinery. The three stresses chosen, arsenite, hydrogen peroxide and sorbitol, exert their effects in quite different ways. Nonetheless, all three rapidly ( approximately 30 min) caused a profound inhibition of protein synthesis. In each case this was accompanied by dephosphorylation of the eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) and increased binding of this repressor protein to eIF4E. Binding of 4E-BP1 to eIF4E correlated with loss of eIF4F complexes. Sorbitol and hydrogen peroxide each caused inhibition of the 70-kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase, while arsenite activated it. The effects of stresses on the phosphorylation of eukaryotic elongation factor 2 also differed: oxidative stress elicited a marked increase in eEF2 phosphorylation, which is expected to contribute to inhibition of translation, while the other stresses did not have this effect. Although all three proteins (4E-BP1, p70 S6 kinase and eEF2) can be regulated through the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), our data imply that stresses do not interfere with mTOR function but act in different ways on these three proteins. All three stresses activate the p38 MAP kinase pathway but we were able to exclude a role for this in their effects on 4E-BP1. Our data reveal that these stress-inducing agents, which are widely used to study stress-signalling in mammalian cells, exert multiple and complex inhibitory effects on the translational machinery.

Cloning of bovine eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF-4E) and its expression in the bovine mammary gland at different physiological stages

Bovine eIF-4E cDNA was cloned and its expression in the bovine mammary gland at distinct physiological stages was investigated. Bovine eIF-4E cDNA and protein sequences are highly homologous to those from other mammals. Using Northern blot analysis, we did not detect eIF-4E expression in the prepubertal bovine mammary gland, whereas a low level of eIF-4E mRNA was observed in the mammary tissues of heifers during the third estrous cycle. The eIF-4E mRNA level was significantly higher in the lactating mammary gland compared to the mammary tissues obtained from heifers during the third estrous cycle. Alteration of eIF-4E expression in bovine mammary tissues during different physiological stages indicates the involvement of eIF-4E in mammary development. Elevated eIF-4E expression during lactation may be related to increased translation of certain mRNA or the acceleration of overall protein synthesis.

Angiotensin II inhibits insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein-1 in proximal tubular epithelial cells

Interaction between angiotensin II, which binds a G-protein-coupled receptor, and insulin, a ligand for receptor tyrosine kinase, was examined in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells. Augmented protein translation by insulin involves activation of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) which follows the release of the factor from a heterodimeric complex by phosphorylation of its binding protein, 4E-BP1. Angiotensin II (1 nM) or insulin (1 nM) individually stimulated 4E-BP1 phosphorylation. However, pre-incubation with angiotensin II abrogated insulin-induced phosphorylation of 4E-BP1, resulting in persistent binding to eIF4E. Although angiotensin II and insulin individually activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-1/-2-type mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, pre-incubation with angiotensin II abolished insulin-induced stimulation of these kinases, suggesting more proximal events in insulin signalling may be intercepted. Pretreatment with angiotensin II markedly inhibited insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin-receptor beta-chain and insulin-receptor substrate 1. Losartan prevented angiotensin II inhibition of insulin-induced ERK-1/-2-type MAP kinase activation and 4E-BP1 phosphorylation, suggesting mediation of the effect of angiotensin II by its type 1 receptor. Insulin-stimulated de novo protein synthesis was also abolished by pre-incubation with angiotensin II. These data show that angiotensin II inhibits 4E-BP1 phosphorylation and stimulation of protein synthesis induced by insulin by interfering with proximal events in insulin signalling. Our data provide a mechanistic basis for insulin insensitivity induced by angiotensin II.

The mitogen-activated protein kinase signal-integrating kinase Mnk2 is a eukaryotic initiation factor 4E kinase with high levels of basal activity in mammalian cells

The cap-binding translation initiation factor eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) is phosphorylated in vivo at Ser209 in response to a variety of stimuli. In this paper, we show that the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal-integrating kinase Mnk2 phosphorylates eIF4E at this residue. Mnk2 binds to the scaffolding protein eIF4G, and overexpression of Mnk2 results in increased phosphorylation of endogenous eIF4E, showing that it can act as an eIF4E kinase in vivo. We have identified eight phosphorylation sites in Mnk2, of which at least three potential MAPK sites are likely to be essential for Mnk2 activity. In contrast to that of Mnk1, the activity of overexpressed Mnk2 is high under control conditions and could only be reduced substantially by a combination of PD98059 and SB203580, while the activity of endogenous Mnk2 in Swiss 3T3 cells was hardly affected upon treatment with these inhibitors. These compounds did not abolish phosphorylation of eIF4E, implying that Mnk2 may mediate phosphorylation of eIF4E in Swiss 3T3 cells. In vitro phosphorylation studies show that Mnk2 is a significantly better substrate than Mnk1 for extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2), p38MAPKalpha, and p38MAPKbeta. Therefore, the high levels of activity of Mnk2 under several conditions may be explained by efficient activation of Mnk2 by low levels of activity of the upstream kinases. Interestingly, we found that the association of both Mnk1 and Mnk2 with eIF4G increased upon inhibition of the MAPK pathways while activation of ERK resulted in decreased binding to eIF4G. This might reflect a mechanism to ensure rapid, but transient, phosphorylation of eIF4E upon stimulation of the MAPK pathways.

Protein kinase C-related kinase 2 phosphorylates the protein synthesis initiation factor eIF4E in starfish oocytes

Phosphorylation of eIF4E is required for protein synthesis during starfish oocyte maturation. The activity of protein kinase C-related kinase 2 (PRK2) increases prior to the phosphorylation of eIF4E (G. Stapleton et al., 1998, Dev. Biol. 193, 34-46). We investigate here whether eIF4E is activated by PRK2. A 3.5-kb eIF4E clone isolated from starfish cDNA is 57% identical to human eIF4E and contains the putative phosphorylation site serine-209. The serine-209 environment (SKTGS(209)MAKSRF) is similar to the consensus sequence of the phosphorylation site of protein kinase C and related kinases. A starfish eIF4E fusion protein (GST-4E) was phosphorylated in vitro by PRK2 in the presence of 1,2-diolyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate. In contrast, replacing the GST-4E serine-209 with an alanine significantly reduced this phosphorylation. Analysis by two-dimensional phosphopeptide mapping reveals a major phosphopeptide in trypsin-digested GST-4E, but not in its serine-209 mutant. Importantly, this major phosphopeptide in GST-4E corresponds to a major phosphopeptide of eIF4E isolated from (32)P-labeled oocytes. Thus, PRK2 may regulate translation initiation during oocyte maturation by phosphorylating the serine-209 residue of eIF4E in starfish. We also demonstrate that high levels of cAMP inhibit the activation of PRK2, eIF4E, and the eIF4E binding protein during starfish oocyte maturation, while PI3 kinase activates these proteins.

Signal transduction pathways that contribute to increased protein synthesis during T-cell activation

Protein synthesis rates were maximally stimulated in human lymphocytes by ionomycin and the phorbol ester PMA (I+P), which promotes proliferation, whereas PMA alone, which does not promote proliferation, stimulated protein synthesis to a lesser degree. Three translation-associated activities, eIF4E phosphorylation, eIF2B activity and 4E-BP1 phosphorylation also increased with stimulation by I+P and PMA, but only 4E-BP1 phosphorylation was differentially stimulated by these conditions. Correspondingly, signaling pathways activated in T cells were probed for their connection to these activities. Immunosuppressants FK506 and rapamycin partially blocked the protein synthesis rate increases by I+P stimulation. FK506 had less of an inhibitory effect with PMA stimulation suggesting that its mechanism mostly affected ionomycin-activated signals. I+P and PMA equally stimulated phosphorylation of ERK1/2, but I+P more strongly stimulated Akt, and p70(S6K) phosphorylation. An inhibitor that blocks ERK1/2 phosphorylation only slightly reduced protein synthesis rates stimulated by I+P or PMA, but greatly reduced eIF4E phosphorylation and eIF2B activity. In contrast, inhibitors of the PI-3 kinase and mTOR pathways strongly blocked early protein synthesis rate stimulated by I+P and PMA and also blocked 4E-BP1 phosphorylation and release of eIF4E suggesting that these pathways regulate protein synthesis activities, which are important for proliferation in T cells.

eIF4 initiation factors: effectors of mRNA recruitment to ribosomes and regulators of translation

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4F (eIF4F) is a protein complex that mediates recruitment of ribosomes to mRNA. This event is the rate-limiting step for translation under most circumstances and a primary target for translational control. Functions of the constituent proteins of eIF4F include recognition of the mRNA 5' cap structure (eIF4E), delivery of an RNA helicase to the 5' region (eIF4A), bridging of the mRNA and the ribosome (eIF4G), and circularization of the mRNA via interaction with poly(A)-binding protein (eIF4G). eIF4 activity is regulated by transcription, phosphorylation, inhibitory proteins, and proteolytic cleavage. Extracellular stimuli evoke changes in phosphorylation that influence eIF4F activity, especially through the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and Ras signaling pathways. Viral infection and cellular stresses also affect eIF4F function. The recent determination of the structure of eIF4E at atomic resolution has provided insight about how translation is initiated and regulated. Evidence suggests that eIF4F is also implicated in malignancy and apoptosis.

Distinct signalling pathways mediate insulin and phorbol ester-stimulated eukaryotic initiation factor 4F assembly and protein synthesis in HEK 293 cells

Stimulation of serum-starved human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells with either the phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), or insulin resulted in increases in the phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 and p70 S6 kinase, eIF4F assembly, and protein synthesis. All these effects were blocked by rapamycin, a specific inhibitor of mTOR. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and protein kinase B were activated by insulin but not by TPA. Therefore TPA can induce eIF4F assembly, protein synthesis, and the phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase and 4E-BP1 independently of both phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and protein kinase B. Using two structurally unrelated inhibitors of MEK (PD098059 and U0126), we provide evidence that Erk activation is important in TPA stimulation of eIF4F assembly and the phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase and 4E-BP1 and that basal MEK activity is important for basal, insulin, and TPA-stimulated protein synthesis. Transient transfection of constitutively active mitogen-activated protein kinase interacting kinase 1 (the eIF4E kinase) indicated that inhibition of protein synthesis and eIF4F assembly by PD098059 is not through inhibition of eIF4E phosphorylation but of other signals emanating from MEK. This report also provides evidence that increased eIF4E phosphorylation alone does not affect the assembly of the eIF4F complex or general protein synthesis.

Rapamycin-resistant phosphorylation of the initiation factor-4E-binding protein (4E-BP1) in v-SRC-transformed hamster fibroblasts

Increased phosphorylation of the translational repressor protein 4E-BP1 was found in the cell line derived from the tumor induced in Syrian hamster by Rous sarcoma virus (RSV). This was accompanied by its dissociation from the complex with initiation factor eIF4E. The ribosomal S6 protein kinase p70S6k is supposed to be regulated by the same or a closely related rapamycin-sensitive signalling pathway to that which modulates 4E-BP1. Phosphorylation and activity of p70S6k were found to be also increased in RSV-transformed H19 cells that express significantly higher amounts of the Src protein (p60src) relative to the non-transformed hamster fibroblasts NIL-2. The increased activity and phosphorylation of p70S6k were blocked by rapamycin, indicating that the rapamycin-sensitive pathway is involved in its regulation in v-src-transformed hamster fibroblasts. In agreement with this, rapamycin reduced the expression of elongation factor eEF1alpha (whose translation is regulated by a rapamycin-sensitive mechanism thought to involve p70S6k) and did not affect the production of a housekeeping protein, alpha-tubulin, in these cells. Synthesis of Src protein was also inhibited in cells treated with rapamycin. However, treatment of cells with a concentration of rapamycin sufficient to completely inhibit the activity and phosphorylation of p70S6k resulted in only partial de-phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 and its re-association with eIF4E in the transformed cells, indicating that additional rapamycin-insensitive mechanisms/pathways are implicated in the control of 4E-BP1 phosphorylation in RSV-transformed hamster fibroblasts. Over-expression of eIF4E favours cell proliferation and can lead to a transformed phenotype, while over-expression of 4E-BP1 has the opposite effect. The altered signalling to the phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 in RSV-transformed cells, which leads to its dissociation from eIF4E and thus relief of inhibition of eIF4E function, may therefore represent an important regulatory mechanism in malignant cell growth.

Phosphorylation of the cap-binding protein eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E by protein kinase Mnk1 in vivo

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) binds to the mRNA 5' cap and brings the mRNA into a complex with other protein synthesis initiation factors and ribosomes. The activity of mammalian eIF4E is important for the translation of capped mRNAs and is thought to be regulated by two mechanisms. First, eIF4E is sequestered by binding proteins, such as 4EBP1, in quiescent cells. Mitogens induce the release of eIF4E by stimulating the phosphorylation of 4EBP1. Second, mitogens and stresses induce the phosphorylation of eIF4E at Ser 209, increasing the affinity of eIF4E for capped mRNA and for an associated scaffolding protein, eIF4G. We previously showed that a mitogen- and stress-activated kinase, Mnk1, phosphorylates eIF4E in vitro at the physiological site. Here we show that Mnk1 regulates eIF4E phosphorylation in vivo. Mnk1 binds directly to eIF4G and copurifies with eIF4G and eIF4E. We identified activating phosphorylation sites in Mnk1 and developed dominant-negative and activated mutants. Expression of dominant-negative Mnk1 reduces mitogen-induced eIF4E phosphorylation, while expression of activated Mnk1 increases basal eIF4E phosphorylation. Activated mutant Mnk1 also induces extensive phosphorylation of eIF4E in cells overexpressing 4EBP1. This suggests that phosphorylation of eIF4E is catalyzed by Mnk1 or a very similar kinase in cells and is independent of other mitogenic signals that release eIF4E from 4EBP1.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 is the predominant insulin-regulated eukaryotic initiation factor 2B kinase in skeletal muscle

Eukaryotic initiation factor eIF2B is a guanine nucleotide exchange protein involved in regulation of translation initiation. Phosphorylation of the epsilon-subunit is thought to be important in insulin-mediated changes in eIF2B activity. However, elucidation of insulin's action has proven elusive, primarily because eIF2B epsilon is a substrate in vitro for at least three different protein kinases. In the present study, we observed changes in eIF2B epsilon kinase activity only in those muscles previously shown to exhibit alterations in protein synthesis in response to insulin. Specifically, eIF2B epsilon kinase activity was increased in psoas muscle from diabetic rats compared to controls. Treating diabetic rats with insulin rapidly reduced eIF2B epsilon kinase activity below control values. Changes were not observed in heart. To identify the kinase(s) in psoas responsible for phosphorylating eIF2B epsilon, the wildtype and two variant forms of the epsilon-subunit were expressed in and purified from Sf9 insect cells, and were used as substrates in protein kinase assays. The first variant contained a point mutation in the eIF2B epsilon cDNA that converted the glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) phosphorylation site, Ser535, to a nonphosphorylatable Ala residue. In the second variant, the putative GSK-3 'priming' site, Ser539, was converted to Asp. Based on the pattern of phosphorylation of the wildtype and two variant forms of eIF2B epsilon using casein kinase (CK)-I, CK-II, or GSK-3 as well as that observed with skeletal muscle extracts, we conclude that the predominant eIF2B epsilon kinase in psoas muscle is GSK-3. Thus, insulin-mediated changes in eIF2B activity are likely to involve GSK-3.

The association of initiation factor 4F with poly(A)-binding protein is enhanced in serum-stimulated Xenopus kidney cells

Serum stimulation of cultured Xenopus kidney cells results in enhanced phosphorylation of the translational initiation factor (eIF) 4E and promotes a 2.8-fold increase in the binding of the adapter protein eIF4G to eIF4E, to form the functional initiation factor complex eIF4F. Here we demonstrate the serum-stimulated co-isolation of the poly(A)-binding protein (PABP) with the eIF4F complex. This apparent interaction of PABP with eIF4F suggests that a mechanism shown to be important in the control of translation in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae also operates in vertebrate cells. We also present evidence that the signaling pathways modulating eIF4E phosphorylation and function in Xenopus kidney cells differ from those in several mammalian cell types studied previously. Experiments with the immunosuppressant rapamycin suggest that the mTOR signaling pathway is involved in serum-promoted eIF4E phosphorylation and association with eIF4G. Moreover, we could find little evidence for regulation of eIF4E function via interaction with the specific binding proteins 4E-BP1 or 4E-BP2 in these cells. Although rapamycin abrogated serum-enhanced rates of protein synthesis and the interaction of eIF4G with eIF4E, it did not prevent the increase in association of eIF4G with PABP. This suggests that serum stimulates the interaction between eIF4G and PABP by a distinct mechanism that is independent of both the mTOR pathway and the enhanced association of eIF4G with eIF4E.

Amino acid availability regulates p70 S6 kinase and multiple translation factors

Incubation of Chinese hamster ovary cells without amino acids for up to 60 min caused a rapid marked decrease in p70 S6 kinase activity and increased binding of initiation factor eIF4E to its inhibitory regulator protein 4E-BP1. This was associated with dephosphorylation of 4E-BP1 and eIF4E and dissociation of eIF4E from eIF4G. All these effects were rapidly reversed by resupplying a mixture of amino acids and this was blocked by rapamycin and by inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, implying a role for phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in the signalling pathway linking amino acids with the control of p70 S6 kinase activity and the phosphorylation of these translation factors. Amino acid withdrawal also led to changes in the phosphorylation of other translation factors; phosphorylation of eIF4E decreased whereas elongation factor eEF2 became more heavily phosphorylated, each of these changes being associated with decreased activity of the factor in question. Earlier studies have suggested that protein kinase B (PKB) may act upstream of p70 S6 kinase. However, amino acids did not affect the activity of PKB, indicating that amino acids activate p70 S6 kinase through a pathway independent of this enzyme. Studies with individual amino acids suggested that the effects on p70 S6 kinase activity and translation-factor phosphorylation were independent of cell swelling. The data show that amino acid supply regulates multiple translation factors in mammalian cells.

The phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor eIF4E in response to phorbol esters, cell stresses, and cytokines is mediated by distinct MAP kinase pathways

Initiation factor eIF4E binds to the 5'-cap of eukaryotic mRNAs and plays a key role in the mechanism and regulation of translation. It may be regulated through its own phosphorylation and through inhibitory binding proteins (4E-BPs), which modulate its availability for initiation complex assembly. eIF4E phosphorylation is enhanced by phorbol esters. We show, using specific inhibitors, that this involves both the p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and Erk signaling pathways. Cell stresses such as arsenite and anisomycin and the cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta also cause increased phosphorylation of eIF4E, which is abolished by the specific p38 MAP kinase inhibitor, SB203580. These changes in eIF4E phosphorylation parallel the activity of the eIF4E kinase, Mnk1. However other stresses such as heat shock, sorbitol, and H2O2, which also stimulate p38 MAP kinase and increase Mnk1 activity, do not increase phosphorylation of eIF4E. The latter stresses increase the binding of eIF4E to 4E-BP1, and we show that this blocks the phosphorylation of eIF4E by Mnk1 in vitro, which may explain the absence of an increase in eIF4E phosphorylation under these conditions.

Regulation of eukaryotic initiation factor eIF2B: glycogen synthase kinase-3 phosphorylates a conserved serine which undergoes dephosphorylation in response to insulin

Eukaryotic initiation factor eIF2B catalyses a key regulatory step in mRNA translation. eIF2B and total protein synthesis are acutely activated by insulin, and this requires phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase). The epsilon-subunit of eIF2B is phosphorylated by glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3), which is inactivated by insulin in a PI 3-kinase-dependent manner. Here we identify the phosphorylation site in eIF2Bepsilon as Ser540 and show that treatment of eIF2B with GSK-3 inhibits its activity. Ser540 is phosphorylated in intact cells and undergoes dephosphorylation in response to insulin. This is blocked by PI 3-kinase inhibitors. Insulin-induced dephosphorylation of this inhibitory site in eIF2B seems likely to be important in the overall activation of translation by this hormone.

Requirement of protein kinase C zeta for stimulation of protein synthesis by insulin

The ability of insulin to stimulate protein synthesis and cellular growth is mediated through the insulin receptor (IR), which phosphorylates Tyr residues in the insulin receptor substrate-signaling proteins (IRS-1 and IRS-2), Gab-1, and Shc. These phosphorylated substrates directly bind and activate enzymes such as phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3K) and the guanine nucleotide exchange factor for p21Ras (GRB-2/SOS), which are in turn required for insulin-stimulated protein synthesis, cell cycle progression, and prevention of apoptosis. We have now shown that one or more members of the atypical protein kinase C group, as exemplified by the zeta isoform (PKC zeta), are downstream of IRS-1 and P13K and mediate the effect of insulin on general protein synthesis. Ectopic expression of constitutively activated PKC zeta eliminates the requirement of IRS-1 for general protein synthesis but not for insulin-stimulated activation of 70-kDa S6 kinase (p70S6K), synthesis of growth-regulated proteins (e.g., c-Myc), or mitogenesis. The fact that PKC zeta stimulates general protein synthesis but not activation of p70S6K indicates that PKC zeta activation does not involve the proto-oncogene Akt, which is also activated by PI3K. Yet insulin is still required for the stimulation of general protein synthesis in the presence of constitutively active PKC zeta and in the absence of IRS-1, suggesting a requirement for the convergence of the IRS-1/PI3K/PKC zeta pathway with one or more additional pathways emanating from the IR, e.g., Shc/SOS/p21Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase. Thus, PI3K appears to represent a bifurcation in the insulin signaling pathway, one branch leading through PKC zeta to general protein synthesis and one, through Akt and the target of rapamycin (mTOR), to growth-regulated protein synthesis and cell cycle progression.

Multiple signaling pathways involved in the metabolic effects of insulin

The metabolic effects of insulin are initiated by the binding of insulin to the extracellular domain of the insulin receptor within the plasma membrane of muscle and adipose and liver cells. The subsequent activation of the intracellular tyrosine protein kinase activity of the receptor leads to autophosphorylation of the receptor as well as phosphorylation of a number of intracellular proteins. This gives rise to the activation of Ras and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and hence to the activation of a number of serine/threanine protein kinases. Many of these kinases appear to be arranged in cascades, including a cascade that results in the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and another that may result in the activation of protein kinase B, leading to the inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3 and the activation of the 70 kiloDalton ribosomal S6 protein kinase (p70 S6 kinase). We have explored the role of these early events in the the stimulation of glycogen, fatty acid, and protein synthesis by insulin in rat epididymal fat cells. Comparisons have been made between the metabolic effects of insulin and those of epidermal growth factor, since these 2 agents have contrasting effects on p70 S6 kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase. The effects of wortmannin (which inhibits phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase), and rapamycin (which blocks the activation of p70 S6 kinase) have also been studied. These and other studies indicate that the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade is probably not important in the acute metabolic effects of insulin, but may have a role in the regulation of gene transcription and hence the more long-term effects of insulin. The short-term metabolic effects of insulin appear to involve at least 3 distinct signaling pathways: (1) those leading to increases in glucose transport and the activation of glycogen synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, eukaryotic initiation factor-2B, and phosphodiesterase, which may involve phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and protein kinase B; (2) those leading to some of the effects of insulin on protein synthesis (formation of eukaryotic initiation factor-4F complex, S6 phosphorylation, and activation of eukaryotic elongation factor-2), which may involve phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and p70 S6 kinase; and finally, (3) that leading to the activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase, which is unique in apparently not requiring activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase.

Insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of initiation factor 4E is mediated by the MAP kinase pathway

The cap-binding initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) is regulated by phosphorylation and by the inhibitory binding protein 4E-BP1. Here we show that insulin-induced phosphorylation of eIF4E is not significantly affected by rapamycin, but is sensitive to wortmannin, which inhibits phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase and blocks the activation of MAP kinase. Since PD098059, an inhibitor of MAP kinase activation, also blocks insulin-induced phosphorylation of eIF4E, the MAP kinase pathway seems to mediate this effect. Phosphorylated eIF4E can still bind to 4E-BP1. These data illustrate that (i) distinct signalling pathways mediate the phosphorylation of eIF4E and 4E-BP1 and (ii) phosphorylation of eIF4E, unlike that of 4E-BP1, does not lead directly to the release of 4E-BP1.