The stability of mRNA for eucaryotic elongation factor Tu in Friend erythroleukemia cells varies with growth rate

Expression of elongation factor (EF)-Tu is correlated with prognosis of gastric adenocarcinomas

Altered expressions of mitochondria elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) have been observed in certain types of cancers, including gastric cancer cell lines, but the impact of the alterations in gastric adenocarcinoma remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of EF-Tu in gastric adenocarcinoma and to assess its clinical significance. A total of 104 paired resected gastric adenocarcinoma and corresponding normal specimens were collected in this study. EF-Tu expression was assessed by immunohistochemical staining. The correlation of EF-Tu expression and patients’ clinicopathological parameters was statically evaluated and the prognostic significance of EF-Tu expression was assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Forty-nine out of 104 (47.1%) gastric adenocarcinoma specimens showed high expression of EF-Tu, while the remaining 55 specimens showed weak or negative expression of EF-Tu. In contrast, EF-Tu high expression was detected in 62.5% (65 of 104) normal tissues. Down-regulation of EF-Tu was associated with serosal invasion (P = 0.042) and node involvement (P = 0.005), and down-regulation of EF-Tu was correlated with poor overall survival (P = 0.020). In curative resection (R0) patients, there were also significant differences (P = 0.043). In the multivariate analysis, the EF-Tu expression remained a significant independent prognostic factor (P = 0.038). Our results indicate that EF-Tu is expressed in both gastric adenocarcinoma and corresponding normal tissues. Down-regulation of EF-Tu expression is associated with advanced disease stage and EF-Tu expression maybe served as an independent prognostic factor.

Molecular characterization and expression analysis of nine cotton GhEF1A genes encoding translation elongation factor 1A

The translation elongation factor 1A, eEF1A, plays an important role in protein synthesis, catalyzing the binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to the A-site of the ribosome by a GTP-dependent mechanism. To investigate the role of eEF1A for protein synthesis in cotton fiber development, nine different cDNA clones encoding eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1A were isolated from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) fiber cDNA libraries. The isolated genes (cDNAs) were designated cotton elongation factor 1A gene GhEF1A1, GhEF1A2, GhEF1A3, GhEF1A4, GhEF1A5, GhEF1A6, GhEF1A7, GhEF1A8, GhEF1A9, respectively. They share high sequence homology at nucleotide level (71-99% identity) in the coding region and at amino acid level (96-99% identity) among each other. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the nine GhEF1A genes can be divided into 5-6 subfamilies, indicating the divergence occurred in structures of the genes as well as the deduced proteins during evolution. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that GhEF1A genes are differentially expressed in different tissues/organs. Of the nine GhEF1A genes, five are expressed at relatively high levels in young fibers. Further analysis indicated that expressions of the GhEF1As in fiber are highly developmental-regulated, suggesting that protein biosynthesis is very active at the early fiber elongation.

Isolation, characterization and mRNA expression of four cDNAs encoding translation elongation factor 1A from rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Four different cDNA clones encoding protein synthesis elongation factor 1A, eEF1A, were isolated from rice (Oryza sativa L.). The genes encoded by these cDNAs were designated rice elongation factor 1A genes refa1, refa2, refa3 and refa4. The genes encoded identical eEF-1A polypeptides and shared high amino acid identity with eEF1A of other eukaryotes. Southern blot analysis suggested that some of these refa genes may be organized in a cluster on the same chromosome within a short distance. PCR analysis of rice genomic DNA showed that refa1 and refa4, and refa3 and refa2 are in neighboring locations on the rice genome. The mRNAs of the four refa genes accumulated to nearly equal levels in a variety of tissues and at different stages of growth. Suspension-cultured cells were the most abundant in refa mRNAs. Dormant seeds contained a small amount of the four refa mRNAs. Transcript accumulation was highly induced after seed germination, and the same expression levels were maintained even in old leaf blades of mature plants.

Purification and characterization of a 5' to 3' exoribonuclease from rabbit reticulocytes that degrades capped and uncapped RNAs

The cytoplasm of mammalian cells of undoubtedly contain a number of different ribonuclease activities, few if any of which have been well characterized. We describe the purification of an exoribonuclease from rabbit reticulocytes which is able to degrade capped RNAs in a 5' to 3' manner. The purified enzyme contains polypeptides of 62 and 58 kDa and may contain an additional polypeptide of 54 kDa. It behaves as a complex of 150 kDa when analyzed by HPLC gel retardation on Superdex 200HR. It is heat-labile, dependent upon divalent cations (Mg2+) for activity, resistant to placental ribonuclease inhibitor, and active over a broad range (10-200 mM) of monovalent cation (K+) concentrations. The enzyme requires a polynucleotide chain of at least 10 bases for activity and cleaves oligonucleotides, up to an octamer long, from the 5' end of an appropriate substrate. In the case of a capped RNA substrate, product analysis by TLC and PAGE indicates that a capped trinucleotide or tetranucleotide or both is produced. Examination of the kinetics of the enzyme with capped and triphosphate-terminated substrates shows that that the cap structure inhibits the action of the enzyme. Furthermore, the data suggest that the rate-limiting step involves the positioning of the enzyme at the 5' end of the substrate and/or cleavage of the first internucleotide bond.

Cloning and characterization of a TEF gene for elongation factor 1 alpha from the yeast Arxula adeninivorans

The translation elongation factor EF-1 alpha appears to play a major role in the control of cell proliferation and ageing in higher eukaryotes. Here we report the cloning of the TEF1 gene encoding the elongation factor 1 alpha of the dimorphic yeast Arxula adeninivorans Ls3. The gene is localized on chromosome 2 from Arxula adeninivorans, comprises 1380 bp and encodes a protein containing 459 amino acids. In contrast to other fungi, a second TEF gene encoding an identical, or nearly identical, polypeptide could not be identified. The transcriptional activity of the TEF1 gene did not change during mycelial growth, whereas a slight decrease could be detected during the yeast growth.

Increased longevity of EF-1 alpha high-fidelity mutants in Podospora anserina

Various translation initiation and elongation factors seem to participate in the control of the cellular proliferation and the ageing process in higher eukaryotes. Studies indicate that EF-1 alpha, one of the translation elongation factors, may be one of the major components involved. We here present the cloning of the filamentous fungus P. anserina EF-1 alpha encoding gene and show that strains bearing high fidelity mutations in the EF-1 alpha gene have a drastically increased longevity as well as an impairment in sporulation. This suggests that EF-1 alpha involved in the sexual and senescence processes in lower eukaryotes, through the control of translational errors.

Alteration of translation and stability of mRNA for the poly(A)-binding protein during myogenesis

The regulation of synthesis of various factors involved in mRNA translation during differentiation of muscle cells was examined. The steady-state levels of mRNAs coding for eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 2 alpha, 2 beta and elongation factor (eEF)-1 alpha were measured in both proliferating rat L6 myoblast and differentiated myotubes. The steady-state levels of these mRNAs were not altered during myogenesis. Furthermore, the distribution of these mRNAs between repressed and translated populations remained unchanged. Recent studies suggest a role for poly(A)-binding protein (PABP) in translation initiation. Therefore, we also examined the expression of PABP mRNA during myogenesis. The PABP mRNA was less abundant in myotubes compared to myoblasts. However, the synthesis of PABP remained unchanged. In myoblasts, approximately 50-60% of the total mRNA was associated with polyribosomes, whereas in myotubes more than 80% of the mRNA was associated with polyribosomes. These results, therefore, suggest that the PABP mRNA was more efficiently translated in differentiated myotubes than in the proliferating myoblasts. Measurement of the stability and transcription of PABP mRNA showed that, while transcription was not affected during myogenesis, the stability of the mRNA was reduced in differentiated cells. The t1/2 of PABP mRNA in myoblasts was 13 h compared to 7.5 h in myotubes. This observation suggests that the reduced steady-state level of PABP mRNA in myotube were largely due to the change in stability of this mRNA during myogenesis.

Estrogen-induced ribonuclease activity in Xenopus liver

Estrogen administration to male Xenopus causes the cytoplasmic destabilization of the hepatic serum protein coding mRNAs, most notably, albumin, yet has little effect on mRNAs encoding intracellular proteins such as ferritin. This report describes an estrogen-inducible ribonuclease activity found in liver polysomes that degrades albumin mRNA 4 times faster in vitro than it degrades ferritin mRNA. This differential rate of degradation was observed upon incubation of polysome extract with free liver RNA, isolated liver mRNPs, or transcripts from plasmid vectors. A cleavage fragment consisting of a doublet of approximately 194 nucleotides in length was consistently observed upon digestion of transcripts for the full length or 5' half of albumin mRNA. The generation of this cleavage fragment was used as an assay to study properties of the polysome nuclease activity. The 194 doublet is produced by the action of a Mg(2+)-independent endonuclease. This distinguishes the Xenopus liver enzyme from the enzymes that degrade histone or c-myc mRNA in vitro. It is inactivated by 400 mM NaCl or heating at 90 degrees C, but not by placental ribonuclease inhibitor or N-ethylmaleimide. Finally, the polysomal nuclease activity does not degrade double-stranded RNA. We believe the estrogen-induced nuclease activity contains an enzyme(s) that may mediate hormone-regulated changes in mRNA stability in this tissue.

Frog virus 3-induced translational shut-off: activation of an eIF-2 kinase in virus-infected cells

Infection of susceptible fathead minnow or Friend erythroleukemia cells with either infectious or heat-inactivated frog virus 3 led to the rapid inhibition of cellular protein synthesis. As seen in other cells, translational shut-off was accompanied by the dissociation of polysomes, but not the degradation of irreversible inactivation of cellular mRNAs. In addition, lysates from cells infected with heat-inactivated FV3 showed a reduced capacity to synthesize protein and to form 43S pre-initiation complexes in vitro. These results indicate that the in vitro systems accurately reflected in vivo events, and suggest that translational shut-off occurred prior to the union of the 40S ribosomal subunit and the [eIF-2.GTP.Met tRNAi] ternary complex. To determine the basis for the translational block, lysates from mock- and FV3-infected cells were assayed in vitro for their ability to phosphorylate the alpha subunit of eIF-2. In contrast to lysates from mock-infected cells, lysates from cells infected with heat-inactivated or infectious FV3 readily phosphorylated the alpha subunit of eIF-2. Since phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of eIF-2 inhibits its catalytic utilization during polypeptide chain initiation, these findings suggest that translational shut-off mediated by FV3 may be due to activation of a kinase that selectively phosphorylates this key initiation factor.

Increase in abundance of a transcript hybridizing to elongation factor I alpha during cellular senescence and quiescence

We have isolated a senescence-specific clone (pSEN) from a cDNA library constructed from late passage WI-38 human diploid fibroblast that accounts for approximately 1% of the recombinants. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the partial cDNA clone has led to the identification of pSEN as elongation factor I alpha. Northern analysis of poly(A)+ RNA from various intermediate population doubling levels shows that a 2.2 kb transcript hybridizes to pSEN but is expressed prior to PDL-40 at very low levels. This transcript begins to accumulate at PDL-40 and is induced approximately 50-fold just prior to senescence. Furthermore, this transcript was shown to be specific to Go of the cell cycle whereas a second, lower molecular weight transcript (1.6 kb) was observed during S phase (Giordano and Foster, unpublished data). The 2.2 kb transcript is also detected in neonatal foreskin cells but very little increase in abundance is observed between early and late passage cells. Sucrose gradient fractionation of RNA from late passage WI-38 cells suggests that the lower molecular weight transcript is associated with the polysome fraction while the 2.2 kb transcript sediments with the nonpolysomal fraction. Thus, the possibility exists that the 1.6 kb transcript is derived from the 2.2 kb transcript.