scholarly journals Actin dynamics tune the integrated stress response by regulating eukaryotic initiation factor 2α dephosphorylation

eLife ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph E Chambers ◽  
Lucy E Dalton ◽  
Hanna J Clarke ◽  
Elke Malzer ◽  
Caia S Dominicus ◽  
...  

Four stress-sensing kinases phosphorylate the alpha subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2α) to activate the integrated stress response (ISR). In animals, the ISR is antagonised by selective eIF2α phosphatases comprising a catalytic protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) subunit in complex with a PPP1R15-type regulatory subunit. An unbiased search for additional conserved components of the PPP1R15-PP1 phosphatase identified monomeric G-actin. Like PP1, G-actin associated with the functional core of PPP1R15 family members and G-actin depletion, by the marine toxin jasplakinolide, destabilised the endogenous PPP1R15A-PP1 complex. The abundance of the ternary PPP1R15-PP1-G-actin complex was responsive to global changes in the polymeric status of actin, as was its eIF2α-directed phosphatase activity, while localised G-actin depletion at sites enriched for PPP1R15 enhanced eIF2α phosphorylation and the downstream ISR. G-actin's role as a stabilizer of the PPP1R15-containing holophosphatase provides a mechanism for integrating signals regulating actin dynamics with stresses that trigger the ISR.

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (16) ◽  
pp. 2761-2770 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jae-Seon So ◽  
Sungyun Cho ◽  
Sang-Hyun Min ◽  
Scot R. Kimball ◽  
Ann-Hwee Lee

The unfolded protein response (UPR) regulates endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis and protects cells from ER stress. IRE1α is a central regulator of the UPR that activates the transcription factor XBP1s through an unconventional splicing mechanism using its endoribonuclease activity. IRE1α also cleaves certain mRNAs containing XBP1-like secondary structures to promote the degradation of these mRNAs, a process known as regulated IRE1α-dependent decay (RIDD). We show here that the mRNA of CReP/Ppp1r15b, a regulatory subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) phosphatase, is a RIDD substrate. eIF2α plays a central role in the integrated stress response by mediating the translational attenuation to decrease the stress level in the cell. CReP expression was markedly suppressed in XBP1-deficient mice livers due to hyperactivated IRE1α. Decreased CReP expression caused the induction of eIF2α phosphorylation and the attenuation of protein synthesis in XBP1-deficient livers. ER stress also suppressed CReP expression in an IRE1α-dependent manner, which increased eIF2α phosphorylation and consequently attenuated protein synthesis. Taken together, the results of our study reveal a novel function of IRE1α in the regulation of eIF2α phosphorylation and the translational control.


2003 ◽  
Vol 163 (4) ◽  
pp. 767-775 ◽  
Author(s):  
Céline Jousse ◽  
Seiichi Oyadomari ◽  
Isabel Novoa ◽  
Phoebe Lu ◽  
Yuhong Zhang ◽  
...  

Phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) on serine 51 is effected by specific stress-activated protein kinases. eIF2α phosphorylation inhibits translation initiation promoting a cytoprotective gene expression program known as the integrated stress response (ISR). Stress-induced activation of GADD34 feeds back negatively on this pathway by promoting eIF2α dephosphorylation, however, GADD34 mutant cells retain significant eIF2α-directed phosphatase activity. We used a somatic cell genetic approach to identify a gene encoding a novel regulatory subunit of a constitutively active holophosphatase complex that dephosphorylates eIF2α. RNAi of this gene, which we named constitutive repressor of eIF2α phosphorylation (CReP, or PPP1R15B), repressed the constitutive eIF2α-directed phosphatase activity and activated the ISR. CReP RNAi strongly protected mammalian cells against oxidative stress, peroxynitrite stress, and more modestly against accumulation of malfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum. These findings suggest that therapeutic inhibition of eIF2α dephosphorylation by targeting the CReP-protein–phosphatase-1 complex may be used to access the salubrious qualities of the ISR.


eLife ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmela Sidrauski ◽  
Jordan C Tsai ◽  
Martin Kampmann ◽  
Brian R Hearn ◽  
Punitha Vedantham ◽  
...  

The general translation initiation factor eIF2 is a major translational control point. Multiple signaling pathways in the integrated stress response phosphorylate eIF2 serine-51, inhibiting nucleotide exchange by eIF2B. ISRIB, a potent drug-like small molecule, renders cells insensitive to eIF2α phosphorylation and enhances cognitive function in rodents by blocking long-term depression. ISRIB was identified in a phenotypic cell-based screen, and its mechanism of action remained unknown. We now report that ISRIB is an activator of eIF2B. Our reporter-based shRNA screen revealed an eIF2B requirement for ISRIB activity. Our results define ISRIB as a symmetric molecule, show ISRIB-mediated stabilization of activated eIF2B dimers, and suggest that eIF2B4 (δ-subunit) contributes to the ISRIB binding site. We also developed new ISRIB analogs, improving its EC50 to 600 pM in cell culture. By modulating eIF2B function, ISRIB promises to be an invaluable tool in proof-of-principle studies aiming to ameliorate cognitive defects resulting from neurodegenerative diseases.


2015 ◽  
Vol 113 (2) ◽  
pp. E117-E126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aude De Gassart ◽  
Bojan Bujisic ◽  
Léa Zaffalon ◽  
Laurent A. Decosterd ◽  
Antonia Di Micco ◽  
...  

Inhibitors of the HIV aspartyl protease [HIV protease inhibitors (HIV-PIs)] are the cornerstone of treatment for HIV. Beyond their well-defined antiretroviral activity, these drugs have additional effects that modulate cell viability and homeostasis. However, little is known about the virus-independent pathways engaged by these molecules. Here we show that the HIV-PI Nelfinavir decreases translation rates and promotes a transcriptional program characteristic of the integrated stress response (ISR). Mice treated with Nelfinavir display hallmarks of this stress response in the liver, including α subunit of translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2α) phosphorylation, activating transcription factor-4 (ATF4) induction, and increased expression of known downstream targets. Mechanistically, Nelfinavir-mediated ISR bypassed direct activation of the eIF2α stress kinases and instead relied on the inhibition of the constitutive eIF2α dephosphorylation and down-regulation of the phophatase cofactor CReP (Constitutive Repressor of eIF2α Phosphorylation; also known as PPP1R15B). These findings demonstrate that the modulation of eIF2α-specific phosphatase cofactor activity can be a rheostat of cellular homeostasis that initiates a functional ISR and suggest that the HIV-PIs could be repositioned as therapeutics in human diseases to modulate translation rates and stress responses.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Bond ◽  
Claudia Lopez-Lloreda ◽  
Patrick J Gannon ◽  
Cagla Akay-Espinoza ◽  
Kelly L Jordan-Sciutto

Abstract The proposed molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative pathogenesis are varied, precluding the development of effective therapies for these increasingly prevalent disorders. One of the most consistent observations across neurodegenerative diseases is the phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α). eIF2α is a translation initiation factor, involved in cap-dependent protein translation, which when phosphorylated causes global translation attenuation. eIF2α phosphorylation is mediated by 4 kinases, which, together with their downstream signaling cascades, constitute the integrated stress response (ISR). While the ISR is activated by stresses commonly observed in neurodegeneration, such as oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and inflammation, it is a canonically adaptive signaling cascade. However, chronic activation of the ISR can contribute to neurodegenerative phenotypes such as neuronal death, memory impairments, and protein aggregation via apoptotic induction and other maladaptive outcomes downstream of phospho-eIF2α-mediated translation inhibition, including neuroinflammation and altered amyloidogenic processing, plausibly in a feed-forward manner. This review examines evidence that dysregulated eIF2a phosphorylation acts as a driver of neurodegeneration, including a survey of observations of ISR signaling in human disease, inspection of the overlap between ISR signaling and neurodegenerative phenomenon, and assessment of recent encouraging findings ameliorating neurodegeneration using developing pharmacological agents which target the ISR. In doing so, gaps in the field, including crosstalk of the ISR kinases and consideration of ISR signaling in nonneuronal central nervous system cell types, are highlighted.


2004 ◽  
Vol 167 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phoebe D. Lu ◽  
Heather P. Harding ◽  
David Ron

Stress-induced eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2) α phosphorylation paradoxically increases translation of the metazoan activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), activating the integrated stress response (ISR), a pro-survival gene expression program. Previous studies implicated the 5′ end of the ATF4 mRNA, with its two conserved upstream ORFs (uORFs), in this translational regulation. Here, we report on mutation analysis of the ATF4 mRNA which revealed that scanning ribosomes initiate translation efficiently at both uORFs and ribosomes that had translated uORF1 efficiently reinitiate translation at downstream AUGs. In unstressed cells, low levels of eIF2α phosphorylation favor early capacitation of such reinitiating ribosomes directing them to the inhibitory uORF2, which precludes subsequent translation of ATF4 and represses the ISR. In stressed cells high levels of eIF2α phosphorylation delays ribosome capacitation and favors reinitiation at ATF4 over the inhibitory uORF2. These features are common to regulated translation of GCN4 in yeast. The metazoan ISR thus resembles the yeast general control response both in its target genes and its mechanistic details.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i12-i13
Author(s):  
Sofya Langman ◽  
Alberto Delaidelli ◽  
Yue Zhou Huang ◽  
Poul Sorensen

Abstract Medulloblastoma (MB) accounts for 20% of diagnosed brain tumors in children. Group 3 (G3) MB subtype is the most aggressive. Molecularly, G3 MB is characterized by MYC overexpression, which drives elevated mRNA translation in tumor cells. PERK is an eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2α) kinase that inhibits mRNA translation under endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress conditions, such as in response to accumulation of unfolded proteins. When unfolded proteins accumulate in the ER, activated PERK phosphorylates eIF2α. This shuts down global translation and triggers integrated stress response (ISR) to help cells adapt through selective translation of mRNA encoding pro-survival proteins. High mRNA expression of PERK correlates with poor survival in G3 MB patients. In vitro, combination of ER or hypoxic stress with PERK knockdown induces apoptosis in MB cells. ISRIB is an ISR inhibitor that maintains translation rates despite eIF2α phosphorylation. Combining ISRIB with stress such as hypoxia induces apoptosis in MB cells and prevents accumulation of key ISR mediators such as ATF4. In addition, combination of ISRIB and hypoxia induces oxidative stress. Current G3 MB treatment regimens include vincristine, a known ISR inducer. Combination of ISRIB with vincristine amplifies vincristine-induced apoptosis, potentially suggesting novel therapeutic approach for MB. Our findings show that inhibition of ISR in G3 MB represents a powerful inducer of cancer cell death.


2012 ◽  
Vol 302 (1) ◽  
pp. L27-L35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wesley M. Konsavage ◽  
Lianqin Zhang ◽  
Yuchieh Wu ◽  
Jeffrey S. Shenberger

Diverse environmental stresses stimulate eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) phosphorylation, leading to a stress-resistant state characterized by global attenuation of protein synthesis and induction of cytoprotective genes. The signal transduction network culminating in these effects is referred to as the integrated stress response (ISR) or, when initiated by misfolded proteins within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the unfolded protein response (UPR). Given that we previously reported that exposure of 4-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats to 95% O2 (Ox) diminishes global pulmonary protein synthesis and increases eIF2α phosphorylation, we conducted the current study to determine whether Ox activates the ISR or UPR. We found that Ox-induced alterations in ER morphology of alveolar type II cells and interstitial fibroblasts were not associated with activation of the UPR sensors PERK or activating transcription factor (ATF) 6 or with X-box binding protein-1 mRNA splicing in whole lung extracts. Exposure to Ox enhanced ATF4 immunoreactivity and nuclear protein content, followed by a 2- and 5-fold increase in ATF3 protein and mRNA expression, respectively. The accumulation of nuclear ATF4 protein coincided with induction of glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit, an ISR-responsive gene. Immunohistochemistry revealed that changes in ATF3/4 expression were prominent in the alveolus, whereas primary cell culture implicated epithelial and endothelial cells as targets. Finally, induction of ISR intermediates in the intact lung occurred in the absence of the phosphorylation of PKR, JNK, ERK1/2, and p38 MAPK. These findings demonstrate that Ox activates the ISR within the newborn lung and highlight regional and cell-specific alterations in the expression ISR transcription factors that regulate redox balance.


Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 364 (6439) ◽  
pp. 495-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuhiro Kashiwagi ◽  
Takeshi Yokoyama ◽  
Madoka Nishimoto ◽  
Mari Takahashi ◽  
Ayako Sakamoto ◽  
...  

A core event in the integrated stress response, an adaptive pathway common to all eukaryotic cells in response to various stress stimuli, is the phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2). Normally, unphosphorylated eIF2 transfers the methionylated initiator tRNA to the ribosome in a guanosine 5′-triphosphate–dependent manner. By contrast, phosphorylated eIF2 inhibits its specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor, eIF2B. To elucidate how the eIF2 phosphorylation status regulates the eIF2B activity, we determined cryo–electron microscopic and crystallographic structures of eIF2B in complex with unphosphorylated or phosphorylated eIF2. The unphosphorylated and phosphorylated forms of eIF2 bind to eIF2B in completely different manners: the nucleotide exchange-active and -inactive modes, respectively. These structures explain how phosphorylated eIF2 dominantly inhibits the nucleotide exchange activity of eIF2B.


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