The eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF4E is a potent oncogene that promotes the nuclear export and translation of specific transcripts. Here, we discovered that eIF4E alters the cytoplasmic face of the nuclear pore complex (NPC) which leads to enhanced mRNA export of eIF4E target mRNAs. Specifically, eIF4E substantially reduces the major component of the cytoplasmic fibrils of the NPC, RanBP2, relocalizes an associated nucleoporin Nup214, and elevates RanBP1 and the RNA export factors, Gle1 and DDX19. Genetic or pharmacological inhibition of eIF4E impedes these effects. RanBP2 overexpression specifically inhibits the eIF4E mRNA export pathway and impairs oncogenic transformation by eIF4E. The RanBP2 cytoplasmic fibrils likely slow the release/recycling of critical export factors to the nucleus. eIF4E overcomes this inhibitory mechanism by indirectly reducing levels of RanBP2. More globally, these studies suggest that reprogramming the NPC is a means by which oncogenes can harness the proliferative capacity of the cell.
Recognition of the methyl-7-guanosine (m 7 G) cap structure on mRNA is an essential feature of mRNA metabolism and thus gene expression. Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) promotes translation, mRNA export, proliferation, and oncogenic transformation dependent on this cap-binding activity. eIF4E-cap recognition is mediated via complementary charge interactions of the positively charged m 7 G cap between the negative π-electron clouds from two aromatic residues. Here, we demonstrate that a variant subfamily, eIF4E3, specifically binds the m 7 G cap in the absence of an aromatic sandwich, using instead a different spatial arrangement of residues to provide the necessary electrostatic and van der Waals contacts. Contacts are much more extensive between eIF4E3-cap than other family members. Structural analyses of other cap-binding proteins indicate this recognition mode is atypical. We demonstrate that eIF4E3 relies on this cap-binding activity to act as a tumor suppressor, competing with the growthpromoting functions of eIF4E. In fact, reduced eIF4E3 in high eIF4E cancers suggests that eIF4E3 underlies a clinically relevant inhibitory mechanism that is lost in some malignancies. Taken together, there is more structural plasticity in cap recognition than previously thought, and this is physiologically relevant.M etabolism of mRNA is a complex and highly regulated process dependent on the association of the methyl-7-guanosine (m 7 G) cap structure on the 5′ end of transcripts with appropriate proteins (1-3). In mammalian cells, the two major cap-binding proteins are the nuclear cap-binding complex (CBC) (4) and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) (3). Specific cap recognition is key for the fate of transcripts and impacts processes such as mRNA processing and bulk mRNA export via the CBC or the nuclear export of specific transcripts as well as bulk translation by eIF4E (5). NMR and crystallographic studies reveal that m 7 G cap is specifically recognized by both the CBC and eIF4E via intercalation of the m 7 G cap moiety with the side chains of two aromatic residues, i.e., an aromatic sandwich (4, 6-9). This is an electrostatically driven process relying on the partial positive charge of the m 7 G cap and the negative π-electron clouds of the aromatic residues. The aromatic residues are completely conserved in these cap-binding proteins. This recognition motif is used almost exclusively by proteins that specifically bind the m 7 G cap including eIF4E, CBC, and vaccinia virus protein VP39 (4, 10).Dysregulation of cap-binding proteins can have striking physiological consequences. For instance through its cap-binding activity and subsequent effects on gene expression, eIF4E plays an important role in proliferation and survival (1, 3). Indeed, eIF4E is overexpressed in about 30% of human cancers and its overexpression is oncogenic in cell culture and animal models (2, 11). Mutation of the cap-binding site of eIF4E impairs its activities in translation, mRNA export, and oncogenic transform...
The activity of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF4E is modulated through conformational response to its ligands. For example, eIF4G and eIF4E-binding proteins (4E-BPs) modulate cap affinity, and thus physiological activity of eIF4E, by binding a site distal to the 7-methylguanosine cap-binding site. Further, cap binding substantially modulates eIF4E's affinity for eIF4G and the 4E-BPs. To date, only cap-bound eIF4E structures were reported. In the absence of structural information on the apo form, the molecular underpinnings of this conformational response mechanism cannot be established. We report here the first cap-free eIF4E structure. Apo-eIF4E exhibits structural differences in the cap-binding site and dorsal surface relative to cap-eIF4E. Analysis of structure and dynamics of apo-eIF4E, and changes observed upon ligand binding, reveal a molecular basis for eIF4E's conformational response to these ligands. In particular, alterations in the S4-H4 loop, distal to either the cap or eIF4G binding sites, appear key to modulating these effects. Mutation in this loop mimics these effects. Overall, our studies have important implications for the regulation of eIF4E.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.