eIF5A isoforms and cancer: two brothers for two functions?

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A) is the only cellular protein that contains the unusual amino acid hypusine [N(ε)-(4-amino-2-hydroxybutyl)lysine]. The role of hypusine formation in the eIF5A protein in the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis is addressed in the present review. Moreover, vertebrates carry two genes that encode two eIF5A isoforms, eIF5A-1 and eIF5A-2, which, in humans, are 84% identical. However, the biological functions of these two isoforms may be significantly different. In fact, eIF5A-1 is demonstrable in most cells of different histogenesis, whereas eIF5A-2 protein is detectable only in certain human cancer cells or tissues, suggesting its role as a potential oncogene. In this review we focus our attention on the involvement of eIF5A-1 in the triggering of an apoptotic program and in the regulation of cell proliferation. In addition, the potential oncogenic role and prognostic significance of eIF5A-2 in the prediction of the survival of cancer patients is described. eIF5A-1 and/or the eIF5A-2 isoform may serve as a new molecular diagnostic or prognostic marker or as a molecular target for anti-cancer therapy.

Posttranslational synthesis of hypusine: evolutionary progression and specificity of the hypusine modification

A naturally occurring unusual amino acid, hypusine [N (epsilon)-(4-amino-2-hydroxybutyl)-lysine] is a component of a single cellular protein, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A). It is a modified lysine with structural contribution from the polyamine spermidine. Hypusine is formed in a novel posttranslational modification that involves two enzymes, deoxyhypusine synthase (DHS) and deoxyhypusine hydroxylase (DOHH). eIF5A and deoxyhypusine/hypusine modification are essential for growth of eukaryotic cells. The hypusine synthetic pathway has evolved in eukaryotes and eIF5A, DHS and DOHH are highly conserved, suggesting maintenance of a fundamental cellular function of eIF5A through evolution. The unique feature of the hypusine modification is the strict specificity of the enzymes toward its substrate protein, eIF5A. Moreover, DHS exhibits a narrow specificity toward spermidine. In view of the extraordinary specificity and the requirement for hypusine-containing eIF5A for mammalian cell proliferation, eIF5A and the hypusine biosynthetic enzymes present new potential targets for intervention in aberrant cell proliferation.

Deoxyhypusine synthase generates and uses bound NADH in a transient hydride transfer mechanism

Deoxyhypusine is a modified lysine residue. It is formed posttranslationally in the precursor of eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF5A) by deoxyhypusine synthase, employing spermidine as a butylamine donor. In the initial step of this reaction, deoxyhypusine synthase catalyzes the production of NADH through dehydrogenation of spermidine. Fluorescence measurements of this reaction revealed a -22-nm blue shift in the emission peak of NADH and a approximately 15-fold increase in peak intensity, characteristics of tightly bound NADH that were not seen by simply mixing NADH and enzyme. The fluorescent properties of the bound NADH can be ascribed to a hydrophobic environment and a rigidly held, open conformation of NADH, features in accord with the known crystal structure of the enzyme. Considerable fluorescence resonance energy transfer from tryptophan 327 in the active site to the dihydronicotinamide ring of NADH was seen. Upon addition of the eIF5A precursor, utilization of the enzyme-bound NADH for reduction of the eIF5A-imine intermediate to deoxyhypusine was reflected by a rapid decrease in the NADH fluorescence, indicating a transient hydride transfer mechanism as an integral part of the reaction. The number of NADH molecules bound approached four/enzyme tetramer; not all of the bound NADH was available for reduction of the eIF5A-imine intermediate.

Complex formation between deoxyhypusine synthase and its protein substrate, the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A) precursor

Deoxyhypusine synthase catalyses the first step in the post-translational synthesis of hypusine [Nepsilon-(4-amino-2-hydroxybutyl) lysine] in a single cellular protein, the precursor of eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF5A). Deoxyhypusine synthase exists as a tetramer with four potential active sites. The formation of a stable complex between human deoxyhypusine synthase and its protein substrate, human recombinant eIF5A precursor (ec-eIF5A), was examined by affinity chromatography using polyhistidine-tagged (His.Tag) ec-eIF5A, by a gel mobility-shift method, and by analytical ultracentrifugation. Deoxyhypusine synthase was selectively retained by His.Tag-ec-eIF5A immobilized on a resin. The complex of deoxyhypusine synthase and ec-eIF5A was separated from the free enzyme and protein substrate by electrophoresis under non-denaturing conditions. The stoichiometry of the two components in the complex was estimated to be 1 deoxyhypusine synthase tetramer to 1 ec-eIF5A monomer by N-terminal amino acid sequencing of the complex. Equilibrium ultracentrifugation data further supported this 1:1 ratio and indicated a very strong interaction of the enzyme with ec-eIF5A (Kd Collapse

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MESH Headings

• Cell Extracts
• Chromatography, Affinity
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
• Escherichia coli/genetics
• Guanine/analogs & derivatives
• Guanine/pharmacology
• Humans
• Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
• Molecular Weight
• NAD/pharmacology
• Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-NH Group Donors/antagonists & inhibitors
• Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-NH Group Donors/metabolism
• Peptide Initiation Factors/metabolism
• Protein Binding/drug effects
• Protein Precursors/metabolism
• Protons
• RNA-Binding Proteins
• Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism
• Sequence Analysis
• Spermidine/pharmacology
• Temperature
• Thermodynamics
• Ultracentrifugation
• Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 5A

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Identification of lysine350 of yeast deoxyhypusine synthase as the site of enzyme intermediate formation

The posttranslational formation of deoxyhypusine in the precursor of eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF5A) is catalysed by deoxyhypusine synthase. This NAD-dependent reaction involves transfer of the 4-aminobutyl moiety of spermidine to a single lysine residue in the eIF5A precursor. The present study shows evidence for the formation of a covalent enzyme-substrate intermediate between a specific lysine residue (Lys350) of yeast deoxyhypusine synthase and the 4-aminobutyl moiety from spermidine. Substitution of this lysine residue with Arg or Ala totally prevented the formation of the enzyme intermediate and consequently precluded deoxyhypusine synthesis in the eIF5A precursor, leading to the conclusion that the enzyme intermediate formed at Lys350 is critical for deoxyhypusine synthesis activity. The results provide a rational basis for the inability of the mutated deoxyhypusine synthase gene encoding arginine in place of Lys350 to support growth in yeast (Park et al., 1998). The demonstration of the formation of an enzyme-imine intermediate in yeast deoxyhypusine synthase analogous to that of the human enzyme strongly suggest that the enzyme mechanism is conserved in diverse eukaryotes.

Crystal structure of the NAD complex of human deoxyhypusine synthase: an enzyme with a ball-and-chain mechanism for blocking the active site

BACKGROUND

Eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (elF-5A) contains an unusual amino acid, hypusine [N epsilon-(4-aminobutyl-2-hydroxy)lysine]. The first step in the post-translational formation of hypusine is catalysed by the enzyme deoxyhypusine synthase (DHS). The modified version of elF-5A, and DHS, are required for eukaryotic cell proliferation. Knowledge of the three-dimensional structure of this key enzyme should permit the design of specific inhibitors that may be useful as anti-proliferative agents.

RESULTS

The crystal structure of human DHS with bound NAD cofactor has been determined and refined at 2.2 A resolution. The enzyme is a tetramer of four identical subunits arranged with 222 symmetry; each subunit contains a nucleotide-binding (or Rossmann) fold. The tetramer comprises two tightly associated dimers and contains four active sites, two in each dimer interface. The catalytic portion of each active site is located in one subunit while the NAD-binding site is located in the other. The entrance to the active-site cavity is blocked by a two-turn alpha helix, part of a third subunit, to which it is joined by an extended loop.

CONCLUSIONS

The active site of DHS is a cavity buried below the surface of the enzyme at the interface between two subunits. In the conformation observed here, the substrate-binding site is inaccessible and we propose that the reaction steps carried out by the enzyme must be accompanied by significant conformational changes, the least of which would be the displacement of the two-turn alpha helix.

Enzyme-substrate intermediate at a specific lysine residue is required for deoxyhypusine synthesis. The role of Lys329 in human deoxyhypusine synthase

Deoxyhypusine synthase catalyzes the first step in the post-translational synthesis of hypusine [Nepsilon-(4-amino-2-hydroxybutyl)lysine] in eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A. We recently reported biochemical evidence for a covalent enzyme-substrate intermediate involving a specific lysine residue (Lys329) in human deoxyhypusine synthase (Wolff, E. C., Folk, J. E., and Park, M. H. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 15865-15871). In an effort to evaluate the role of this enzyme-substrate intermediate in catalysis, we carried out site-directed mutagenesis (Lys to Arg and/or Ala) of the conserved lysine residues in human deoxyhypusine synthase. A drastic reduction in enzyme intermediate formation and enzymatic activities was observed with mutant proteins with substitution at Lys287 but not with those with mutations at residues 141, 156, 205, 212, 226, 251, or 338. Lys to Ala or Lys to Arg substitution at Lys329 totally abolished covalent enzyme-substrate intermediate formation and deoxyhypusine synthesis activity, indicating that Lys329 is the unique site for the enzyme intermediate and that it is absolutely required for deoxyhypusine synthesis in the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A precursor. The K329A mutant showed spermidine cleavage activity ( approximately 6% of the wild type enzyme) suggesting that in contrast to deoxyhypusine synthesis, spermidine cleavage can occur without enzyme intermediate formation.

Enzyme-substrate intermediate formation at lysine 329 of human deoxyhypusine synthase

Deoxyhypusine (Nepsilon-(4-aminobutyl)lysine) is the key intermediate in the posttranslational synthesis of the unique amino acid, hypusine (Nepsilon-(4-amino-2-hydroxybutyl)lysine). Deoxyhypusine synthase catalyzes the formation of deoxyhypusine by conjugation of the butylamine moiety of spermidine to the epsilon-amino group of one specific lysine residue of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF-5A) precursor protein. However, in the absence of the eIF-5A precursor, catalysis involves only the NAD-dependent cleavage of spermidine to generate 1,3-diaminopropane and a putative 4-carbon amine intermediate that gives rise to Delta1-pyrroline. We have obtained evidence for a covalent enzyme-substrate intermediate that accumulates in the absence of the eIF-5A precursor. Incubation of human recombinant enzyme with [1, 8-3H]spermidine and NAD, followed by reduction with NaBH3CN, resulted in specific radiolabeling of the enzyme. The radioactive component in the reduced enzyme intermediate was identified as deoxyhypusine and was shown to occur at a single locus. The fact that labeled deoxyhypusine was found after treatment with a reducing agent suggests an intermediate with the butylamine moiety derived from spermidine attached through an imine linkage to the epsilon-amino group of a specific lysine residue of the enzyme. This residue has been identified as lysine 329. Separate experiments showing efficient transfer of labeled butylamine moiety from enzyme intermediate to eIF-5A precursor strongly support a reaction mechanism involving an imine intermediate.

Cloning and expression of human deoxyhypusine synthase cDNA. Structure-function studies with the recombinant enzyme and mutant proteins

Deoxyhypusine synthase catalyzes the first step in the post-translational formation of hypusine (N epsilon-(4-amino-2-hydroxybutyl)lysine). cDNA clones encoding deoxyhypusine synthase were isolated from a human HeLa cell library. Full-length cDNA clones encoding a 369-amino acid protein (calculated molecular mass of 40,970 Da) and a shorter cDNA clone that would potentially encode a protein with an internal deletion of 56 amino acids (Asp262-Ser317) were isolated. The deduced amino acid sequence of the human enzyme shows a high degree of identity to that of yeast deoxyhypusine synthase and to the known sequences of tryptic peptides from the rat and Neurospora crassa enzymes. The recombinant enzyme formed upon expression in Escherichia coli effectively catalyzed deoxyhypusine synthesis. Variant human recombinant proteins with (i) a truncation of 48 or 97 NH2-terminal amino acids, (ii) a truncation of 39 COOH-terminal amino acids, or (iii) an internal deletion (Asp262-Ser317) were inactive. A chimeric protein consisting of the complete human sequence and 16 amino acids of the yeast sequence (Gln197-Asn212, not present in the human enzyme) inserted between Glu193 and Gln194 exhibited moderate activity.

Identification of YHR068w in Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome VIII as a gene for deoxyhypusine synthase. Expression and characterization of the enzyme

Deoxyhypusine synthase catalyzes the formation of deoxyhypusine, the first step in hypusine biosynthesis. Amino acid sequences of five tryptic peptides from rat deoxyhypusine synthase were found to match partially the deduced amino acid sequence of the open reading frame of gene YHR068w of Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome VIII (AC:U00061). In order to determine whether the product of this gene corresponds to yeast deoxyhypusine synthase,a 1.17-kilobase pair cDNA with an identical nucleotide sequence to that of the YHR068w coding region was obtained from S. cerevisiae cDNA by polymerase chain reaction and was expressed in Escherichia coli B strain BL21 (DE3). The recombinant protein was found mostly in the E. coli cytosol fraction and comprised approximately 20% of the total soluble protein. The purified form of the expressed protein effectively catalyzed the formation of deoxyhypusine in yeast eIF-5A precursors as well as in human precursor and in those from Chinese hamster ovary cells. The molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be 172,000 +/- 4,300 Da by equilibrium centrifugation. The mass of its polypeptide subunit was determined to be approximately 43,000 Da, in close agreement with that calculated for the coding region of the YHRO68w gene. These findings show that this gene is a coding sequence for yeast deoxyhypusine synthase and that the product of this gene exists in a tetrameric form.

Deoxyhypusine synthase from rat testis: purification and characterization

Deoxyhypusine synthase is the first enzyme involved in the post-translational formation of hypusine, a unique amino acid that occurs at one position in a single cellular protein, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF-5A). This NAD-dependent enzyme catalyzes the formation of deoxyhypusine by transfer of the butylamine portion of spermidine to the epsilon-amino group of a specific lysine residue in the eIF-5A precursor. Its purification from rat testis was accomplished by ammonium sulfate fractionation and successive ion-exchange chromatographic steps, followed by chromatofocusing on a hydrophilic resin (Mono P). A pI of 4.7 was determined by isoelectric focusing. Amino acid sequences of five tryptic peptides of the pure enzyme did not correspond to any sequences in the protein data banks. The enzyme migrates as a single band on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with an apparent monomer molecular mass of approximately 42,000 Da. Matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry gave a monomer mass of 40,800 Da. There is evidence, however, that the active enzyme exists as a tetramer of this subunit. Rabbit polyclonal antibodies to the 42-kDa protein precipitated deoxyhypusine synthase activity. The enzyme shows a strict specificity for NAD. Purified deoxyhypusine synthase catalyzes the overall synthesis of deoxyhypusine and, in the absence of the eIF-5A precursor, catalyzes the cleavage of spermidine.

Antiproliferative effects of inhibitors of deoxyhypusine synthase. Inhibition of growth of Chinese hamster ovary cells by guanyl diamines

Certain guanyl diamines are effective inhibitors of deoxyhypusine synthase (Jakus, J., Wolff, E. C., Park, M. H., and Folk, J. E. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 13151-13159), the first enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of the unusual amino acid hypusine (N epsilon-(4-amino-2-hydroxybutyl)lysine). Evidence that hypusine is implicated in cell growth prompted this study of the cellular effects of these inhibitors. In Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, inhibition of hypusine biosynthesis followed by progressive arrest in cellular proliferation was observed with both N-mono- and N,N'-bisguanyl derivatives of 1,6-diaminohexane, 1,7-diaminoheptane, and 1,8-diaminooctane. Cells treated with these compounds showed no significant change in polyamine distribution, suggesting that the observed growth inhibition is not mediated through an interference with polyamine metabolism. N1-guanyl-1,7-diaminoheptane, the most potent inhibitor of deoxyhypusine synthase both in vitro and in cells, exhibited the highest antiproliferative activity toward CHO cells. No early cytotoxic effects were observed with this inhibitor, and its antiproliferative activity appeared to be reversible. Transport studies showed that N1-guanyl-1,7-diaminoheptane is actively taken up by the polyamine transport system. Mutant CHO cells defective in polyamine transport were found to be resistant to growth inhibition by this compound. The findings suggest that the antiproliferative effect of N1-guanyl-1,7-diaminoheptane is exerted intracellularly through inhibition of hypusine synthesis.

Is hypusine essential for eukaryotic cell proliferation?

Hypusine [N epsilon-(4-amino-2-hydroxybutyl)-L-lysine] is a most remarkable amino acid, occurring in all eukaryotic cells, yet occupying only a single position in one protein, eukaryotic protein synthesis initiation factor 5A (eIF-5A). The unusual structure of hypusine, its derivation from the polyamine spermidine, and its increased formation in response to growth stimulation, as well as its limited occurrence in the highly conserved amino acid sequence of eIF-5A, have aroused keen interest in the biological significance of its existence and in its relationship to eIF-5A function.

Features of the spermidine-binding site of deoxyhypusine synthase as derived from inhibition studies. Effective inhibition by bis- and mono-guanylated diamines and polyamines

Several types of basic compounds structurally related to spermidine, one of the substrates for deoxyhypusine synthase, were tested as inhibitors of this enzyme. The results indicate that inhibitory compounds associate with the enzyme at the site of spermidine binding and must possess two charged primary amino or guanidino groups, or one of each. The efficiency of inhibition is related to the maximum possible distance between the primary amino groups and is adversely affected by substitutions on the secondary amino group or in the carbon chains of polyamines. The mono-guanyl derivatives are much more effective inhibitors than the parent amines or their bis-guanylated counterparts, N1-guanyl-1,7-diaminoheptane being the most effective compound with a Ki value of about 10 nM. Based on these observations we have proposed a model for the spermidine-binding site of deoxyhypusine synthase. Studies with Chinese hamster ovary cells reveal a direct correlation between prevention of hypusine formation by several guanyldiamines and their in vitro inhibition of deoxyhypusine synthase. This evidence for disruption of the initial step in the post-translational maturation of eukaryotic initiation factor 5A provides a basis for the potential control of protein biosynthesis and cell proliferation.

Hypusine: its post-translational formation in eukaryotic initiation factor 5A and its potential role in cellular regulation

The amino acid, hypusine [N epsilon-(4-amino-2-hydroxybutyl) lysine], a unique component of one cellular protein, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF-5A, old terminology eIF-4D), is formed post-translationally in two enzymatic steps: (i) transfer of the 4-aminobutyl moiety of the polyamine spermidine to the epsilon-amino group of a single specific lysine residue in the eIF-5A precursor protein to form an intermediate, deoxyhypusine, and (ii) subsequent hydroxylation in this 4-aminobutyl portion. Hypusine is produced soon after the translation of eIF-5A mRNA; the modification is essentially irreversible. Hypusine is found in all eukaryotes examined as well as in archaebacteria; it does not occur in eubacteria. The protein containing hypusine from each species displays a high degree of amino acid identity; the sequence of amino acids surrounding the hypusine residue is strictly conserved, suggesting the importance of the hypusine modification throughout evolution. Expression of one of the two yeast eIF-5A genes is required for survival and the lysine codon at the site of hypusine synthesis is vital for yeast growth. The precise cellular function of eIF-5A remains to be elucidated; however, eIF-5A stimulates methionyl-puromycin synthesis in a model assay for translation initiation and eIF-5A precursors containing lysine in place of hypusine are inactive in this assay. This provides evidence that the hypusine modification is needed for eIF-5A activity. In view of the important role of hypusine in eIF-5A and because of the narrow specificities of the enzymes involved in formation of this unusual amino acid, the hypusine biosynthetic steps offer promising targets for intervention in cellular proliferation. Spermidine analogs that are inhibitors of deoxyhypusine synthase in vitro also cause inhibition of hypusine formation in cells, together with a reduction in protein synthesis and in cell growth. In addition, certain metal chelating inhibitors of deoxyhypusine hydroxylase exhibit anti-proliferative effects by arresting mammalian cells at the G1/S boundary of the cell cycle. These results lay the foundation for the potential regulation of cellular events through the application of specific and potent inhibitors of hypusine biosynthesis.

Hypusine: its post-translational formation in eukaryotic initiation factor 5A and its potential role in cellular regulation

The amino acid, hypusine [N epsilon-(4-amino-2-hydroxybutyl) lysine], a unique component of one cellular protein, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF-5A, old terminology eIF-4D), is formed post-translationally in two enzymatic steps: (i) transfer of the 4-aminobutyl moiety of the polyamine spermidine to the epsilon-amino group of a single specific lysine residue in the eIF-5A precursor protein to form an intermediate, deoxyhypusine, and (ii) subsequent hydroxylation in this 4-aminobutyl portion. Hypusine is produced soon after the translation of eIF-5A mRNA; the modification is essentially irreversible. Hypusine is found in all eukaryotes examined as well as in archaebacteria; it does not occur in eubacteria. The protein containing hypusine from each species displays a high degree of amino acid identity; the sequence of amino acids surrounding the hypusine residue is strictly conserved, suggesting the importance of the hypusine modification throughout evolution. Expression of one of the two yeast eIF-5A genes is required for survival and the lysine codon at the site of hypusine synthesis is vital for yeast growth. The precise cellular function of eIF-5A remains to be elucidated; however, eIF-5A stimulates methionyl-puromycin synthesis in a model assay for translation initiation and eIF-5A precursors containing lysine in place of hypusine are inactive in this assay. This provides evidence that the hypusine modification is needed for eIF-5A activity. In view of the important role of hypusine in eIF-5A and because of the narrow specificities of the enzymes involved in formation of this unusual amino acid, the hypusine biosynthetic steps offer promising targets for intervention in cellular proliferation. Spermidine analogs that are inhibitors of deoxyhypusine synthase in vitro also cause inhibition of hypusine formation in cells, together with a reduction in protein synthesis and in cell growth. In addition, certain metal chelating inhibitors of deoxyhypusine hydroxylase exhibit anti-proliferative effects by arresting mammalian cells at the G1/S boundary of the cell cycle. These results lay the foundation for the potential regulation of cellular events through the application of specific and potent inhibitors of hypusine biosynthesis.

Two isoforms of eIF-5A in chick embryo. Isolation, activity, and comparison of sequences of the hypusine-containing proteins

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF-5A) (older terminology, eIF-4D) is unique in that it contains the unusual amino acid hypusine (N epsilon-(4-amino-2-hydroxybutyl)lysine). Hypusine is formed by a post-translational event in which a specific lysine residue is modified by a structural contribution from spermidine. Metabolic labeling of chick embryo fibroblasts with [3H]spermidine or [3H]lysine gives rise to two distinct proteins, designated I (approximately 20 kDa and pI 5.6) and II (approximately 18 kDa and pI 5.35), that contain [3H]hypusine. Upon incubation with [3H]lysine the labeling of the two proteins followed a similar time course and showed approximately the same ratio over the 6-h incubation period. [3H]Hypusine-containing proteins from cells which had been cultured with [3H]spermidine were employed as tracers for isolation of hypusine-containing proteins from whole chick embryos. Four such proteins were obtained. Two of these proteins, I and II, correspond to the two native proteins synthesized in chick embryo fibroblasts; the other two forms, Ia and IIa, displayed properties suggesting that they were derived from the native proteins, I and II, respectively, during purification. The amino acid compositions and the tryptic peptide maps of the 20-kDa protein (I) and the 18 kDa protein (II) suggest that they are closely related but distinct proteins. In fact, amino acid sequence analysis of the two major proteins revealed differences in the polypeptide backbone of the two proteins. In spite of structural differences, the two native forms (I and II), as well as the two altered forms (Ia and IIa), were effective in stimulating methionyl-puromycin synthesis, providing evidence that they are indeed functional isoforms of eIF-5A.

Comparison of the activities of variant forms of eIF-4D. The requirement for hypusine or deoxyhypusine

Eukaryotic protein synthesis initiation factor 4D (eIF-4D) (current nomenclature, eIF-5A) contains the unique amino acid hypusine (N epsilon-(4-amino-2-hydroxybutyl)lysine). The first step in hypusine biosynthesis, i.e. the formation of the intermediate, deoxyhypusine (N epsilon-(4-aminobutyl)lysine), was carried out in vitro using spermidine, deoxyhypusine synthase, and ec-eIF-4D(Lys), an eIF-4D precursor prepared by over-expression of human eIF-4D cDNA in Escherichia coli. In a parallel reaction, using N-(3-aminopropyl)cadaverine in place of spermidine, a variant form of eIF-4D containing homodeoxyhypusine (N epsilon-(5-aminopentyl)lysine) was prepared. Evidence that N-(3-aminopropyl)cadaverine can also act as the amine substrate for deoxyhypusine synthase in intact cells was obtained by incubating putrescine- and spermidine-depleted Chinese hamster ovary cells with [3H]cadaverine. In these cells, in which [3H]cadaverine is readily converted to N-(3-aminopropyl) [3H]cadaverine, small amounts of [3H]homodeoxyhypusine and another 3H-labeled compound, presumed to be N epsilon-(5-amino-2-hydroxy[3H]pentyl)lysine, were found. eIF-4D stimulates methionyl-puromycin synthesis, an in vitro model assay for translation initiation. Whereas the unmodified precursor ec-eIF-4D(Lys) appeared inactive, the deoxyhypusine-containing form provided a significant degree of stimulation. The variant form containing homodeoxyhypusine, on the other hand, showed little or no activity. These findings emphasize the importance of hypusine or deoxyhypusine for the biological activity of eIF-4D and demonstrate the influence of both the length and chemical nature of its amino alkyl side chain.

Cleavage of spermidine as the first step in deoxyhypusine synthesis. The role of NAD

The biosynthesis of deoxyhypusine (N-(4-aminobutyl)lysine) occurs by the transfer of the 4-aminobutyl moiety of spermidine to a specific lysine residue in a precursor of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4D (eIF-4D). Deoxyhypusine synthase, the enzyme that catalyzes this reaction, was purified approximately 700-fold from rat testis. The Km values for the substrates, spermidine, the eIF-4-D precursor protein, and NAD+, were estimated as approximately 1, 0.08, and 30 microM, respectively. After incubation of partially purified enzyme with [1,8-3H]spermidine, NAD+, and the eIF-4D precursor, equal amounts of radioactivity were found in free 1,3-diaminopropane and in protein-bound deoxyhypusine. However, when the protein substrate (eIF-4D precursor) was omitted, radioactivity was found in 1,3-diaminopropane and in delta 1-pyrroline in nearly equal quantities, providing evidence that the cleavage of spermidine occurs, albeit at a slower rate, in the absence of the eIF-4D precursor. That NAD+, which is required for this reaction, functions as the hydrogen acceptor was demonstrated by the fact that radioactivity from spermidine labeled with 3H at position 5 is found in NADH as well as in delta 1-pyrroline. Transfer of this hydrogen from spermidine to the re face of the nicotinamide ring of NAD+, as determined by the use of dehydrogenases of known stereospecificity, defines the first step of deoxyhypusine synthesis as a pro-R, or A, stereospecific dehydrogenation. Based on these findings, an enzyme mechanism involving imine intermediate formation is proposed.

Cell-free synthesis of deoxyhypusine. Separation of protein substrate and enzyme and identification of 1,3-diaminopropane as a product of spermidine cleavage

The post-translational formation of hypusine (N epsilon-(4-amino-2-hydroxybutyl)lysine) occurs in a precursor of eukaryotic initiation factor 4D by way of two major steps: 1) transfer of the 4-aminobutyl moiety from spermidine to the epsilon-amino group of a specific lysine residue to form an intermediate, deoxyhypusine; 2) hydroxylation of the deoxyhypusine residue to form hypusine. The initial step of this modification, deoxyhypusine synthesis, was studied in fractionated lysates of Chinese hamster ovary cells, untreated, or treated with alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO); the enzyme(s) and the protein substrate (eukaryotic initiation factor 4D precursor) were separated. The enzyme activity was found in the 0-45% ammonium sulfate fraction from both untreated and DFMO-treated cells. The protein substrate was detected in the 45-75% ammonium sulfate fraction from cells depleted of spermidine by treatment with DFMO, but not in any fraction from untreated cells. Upon further purification of the protein substrate by ion exchange chromatography, the requirement for a pyridine nucleotide, notably NAD+, became apparent. Free 1,3-diaminopropane was identified as a spermidine cleavage product formed concurrently with the 4-aminobutyl transfer step of deoxyhypusine synthesis. Compounds structurally related to spermidine, e.g. caldine, N4-benzylspermidine, homospermidine, and a spermine homologue, thermine, as well as 1,7-diaminoheptane, 1,8-diaminooctane, and 1,9-diaminononane caused significant inhibition of deoxyhypusine synthesis presumably due to competition with spermidine. 1,3-Diaminopropane exhibited a potent inhibition of deoxyhypusine formation, probably through a different mechanism.