Selection of the AUG start codon is a key step in translation initiation requiring hydrolysis of GTP in the eIF2•GTP•Met-tRNA iMet ternary complex (TC) and subsequent P i release from eIF2•GDP•P i . It is thought that eIF1 prevents recognition of non-AUGs by promoting scanning and blocking P i release at non-AUG codons. We show that Sui − mutations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae eIF1, which increase initiation at UUG codons, reduce interaction of eIF1 with 40S subunits in vitro and in vivo, and both defects are diminished in cells by overexpressing the mutant proteins. Remarkably, Sui − mutation ISQLG 93-97 ASQAA (abbreviated 93-97) accelerates eIF1 dissociation and P i release from reconstituted preinitiation complexes (PICs), whereas a hyperaccuracy mutation in eIF1A (that suppresses Sui − mutations) decreases the eIF1 off-rate. These findings demonstrate that eIF1 dissociation is a critical step in start codon selection, which is modulated by eIF1A. We also describe Gcd − mutations in eIF1 that impair TC loading on 40S subunits or destabilize the multifactor complex containing eIF1, eIF3, eIF5, and TC, showing that eIF1 promotes PIC assembly in vivo beyond its important functions in AUG selection.[Keywords: AUG selection; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; translation initiation; eIF1] Supplemental material is available at http://www.genesdev.org.

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF) 1 is a central mediator of start codon recognition. Dissociation of eIF1 from the pre-initiation complex allows release of phosphate from the G-protein factor eIF2, triggering downstream events in initiation. Mutations that weaken binding of eIF1 to the pre-initiation complex decrease the fidelity of start codon recognition (Sui− phenotype) by allowing increased eIF1 release at non-AUG codons. Consistent with this, over-expression of these mutant proteins suppresses their Sui− phenotypes. Here, we have examined mutations at the penultimate residue of eIF1, G107, that produce Sui− phenotypes without increasing the rate of eIF1 release. We provide evidence that, in addition to its role in gating phosphate release, dissociation of eIF1 triggers conversion from an open, scanning-competent state of the pre-initiation complex to a stable, closed one. We also show that eIF5 antagonizes binding of eIF1 to the complex and that key interactions of eIF1 with its partners are modulated by the charge at and around G107. Our data indicate that eIF1 plays multiple roles in start codon recognition and suggest that prior to AUG recognition it prevents eIF5 from binding to a key site in the pre-initiation complex required for triggering downstream events.

BackgroundThe PI3K-Akt signal pathway plays a key role in tumorigenesis and the development of drug-resistance. Cytotoxic chemotherapy resistance is linked to limited therapeutic options and poor prognosis.Methodology/Principal FindingsExamination of FOXO3a and phosphorylated-Akt (P-Akt) expression in breast cancer tissue microarrays showed nuclear FOXO3a was associated with lymph node positivity (p = 0.052), poor prognosis (p = 0.014), and P-Akt expression in invasive ductal carcinoma. Using tamoxifen and doxorubicin-sensitive and -resistant breast cancer cell lines as models, we found that doxorubicin- but not tamoxifen-resistance is associated with nuclear accumulation of FOXO3a, consistent with the finding that sustained nuclear FOXO3a is associated with poor prognosis. We also established that doxorubicin treatment induces proliferation arrest and FOXO3a nuclear relocation in sensitive breast cancer cells. Induction of FOXO3a activity in doxorubicin-sensitive MCF-7 cells was sufficient to promote Akt phosphorylation and arrest cell proliferation. Conversely, knockdown of endogenous FOXO3a expression reduced PI3K/Akt activity. Using MDA-MB-231 cells, in which FOXO3a activity can be induced by 4-hydroxytamoxifen, we showed that FOXO3a induction up-regulates PI3K-Akt activity and enhanced doxorubicin resistance. However FOXO3a induction has little effect on cell proliferation, indicating that FOXO3a or its downstream activity is deregulated in the cytotoxic drug resistant breast cancer cells. Thus, our results suggest that sustained FOXO3a activation can enhance hyperactivation of the PI3K/Akt pathway.Conclusions/SignificanceTogether these data suggest that lymph node metastasis and poor survival in invasive ductal breast carcinoma are linked to an uncoupling of the Akt-FOXO3a signaling axis. In these breast cancers activated Akt fails to inactivate and re-localize FOXO3a to the cytoplasm, and nuclear-targeted FOXO3a does not induce cell death or cell cycle arrest. As such, sustained nuclear FOXO3a expression in breast cancer may culminate in cancer progression and the development of an aggressive phenotype similar to that observed in cytotoxic chemotherapy resistant breast cancer cell models.