scholarly journals Inhibition of the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System Induces Stress Granule Formation

2007 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 2603-2618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachid Mazroui ◽  
Sergio Di Marco ◽  
Randal J. Kaufman ◽  
Imed-Eddine Gallouzi

The inhibition of the ubiquitin-dependent proteasome system (UPS) via specific drugs is one type of approach used to combat cancer. Although it has been suggested that UPS inhibition prevents the rapid decay of AU-rich element (ARE)-containing messages, very little is known about the cellular mechanisms leading to this effect. Here we establish a link between the inhibition of UPS activity, the formation of cytoplasmic stress granules (SGs), and mRNA metabolism. The assembly of the SGs requires the phosphorylation of the translation initiation factor eIF2α by a mechanism involving the stress kinase GCN2. On prolonged UPS inhibition and despite the maintenance of eIF2α phosphorylation, SGs disassemble and translation recovers in an Hsp72 protein-dependent manner. The formation of these SGs coincides with the disassembly of processing bodies (PBs), known as mRNA decay entities. As soon as the SGs assemble, they recruit ARE-containing messages such as p21cip1 mRNA, which are stabilized under these conditions. Hence, our findings suggest that SGs could be considered as one of the players that mediate the early response of the cell to proteasome inhibitors by interfering temporarily with mRNA decay pathways.

2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (19) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabian Borghese ◽  
Frédéric Sorgeloos ◽  
Teresa Cesaro ◽  
Thomas Michiels

ABSTRACT Leader (L) proteins encoded by cardioviruses are multifunctional proteins that contribute to innate immunity evasion. L proteins of Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV), Saffold virus (SAFV), and encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) were reported to inhibit stress granule assembly in infected cells. Here, we show that TMEV L can act at two levels in the stress granule formation pathway: on the one hand, it can inhibit sodium arsenite-induced stress granule assembly without preventing eIF2α phosphorylation and, thus, acts downstream of eIF2α; on the other hand, it can inhibit eucaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha kinase 2 (PKR) activation and the consequent PKR-mediated eIF2α phosphorylation. Interestingly, coimmunostaining experiments revealed that PKR colocalizes with viral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in cells infected with L-mutant viruses but not in cells infected with the wild-type virus. Furthermore, PKR coprecipitated with dsRNA from cells infected with L-mutant viruses significantly more than from cells infected with the wild-type virus. These data strongly suggest that L blocks PKR activation by preventing the interaction between PKR and viral dsRNA. In infected cells, L also rendered PKR refractory to subsequent activation by poly(I·C). However, no interaction was observed between L and either dsRNA or PKR. Taken together, our results suggest that, unlike other viral proteins, L indirectly acts on PKR to negatively regulate its responsiveness to dsRNA. IMPORTANCE The leader (L) protein encoded by cardioviruses is a very short multifunctional protein that contributes to evasion of the host innate immune response. This protein notably prevents the formation of stress granules in infected cells. Using Theiler’s virus as a model, we show that L proteins can act at two levels in the stress response pathway leading to stress granule formation, the most striking one being the inhibition of eucaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha kinase 2 (PKR) activation. Interestingly, the leader protein appears to inhibit PKR via a novel mechanism by rendering this kinase unable to detect double-stranded RNA, its typical activator. Unlike other viral proteins, such as influenza virus NS1, the leader protein appears to interact with neither PKR nor double-stranded RNA, suggesting that it acts indirectly to trigger the inhibition of the kinase.


2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (19) ◽  
pp. 3786-3800 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Hofmann ◽  
Valeria Cherkasova ◽  
Peter Bankhead ◽  
Bernd Bukau ◽  
Georg Stoecklin

Cells respond to different types of stress by inhibition of protein synthesis and subsequent assembly of stress granules (SGs), cytoplasmic aggregates that contain stalled translation preinitiation complexes. Global translation is regulated through the translation initiation factor eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) and the mTOR pathway. Here we identify cold shock as a novel trigger of SG assembly in yeast and mammals. Whereas cold shock–induced SGs take hours to form, they dissolve within minutes when cells are returned to optimal growth temperatures. Cold shock causes eIF2α phosphorylation through the kinase PERK in mammalian cells, yet this pathway is not alone responsible for translation arrest and SG formation. In addition, cold shock leads to reduced mitochondrial function, energy depletion, concomitant activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and inhibition of mTOR signaling. Compound C, a pharmacological inhibitor of AMPK, prevents the formation of SGs and strongly reduces cellular survival in a translation-dependent manner. Our results demonstrate that cells actively suppress protein synthesis by parallel pathways, which induce SG formation and ensure cellular survival during hypothermia.


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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (20) ◽  
pp. 10935-10945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanta Karki ◽  
Kathrina Castillo ◽  
Zhaolan Ding ◽  
Olivia Kerr ◽  
Teresa M. Lamb ◽  
...  

The circadian clock in eukaryotes controls transcriptional and posttranscriptional events, including regulation of the levels and phosphorylation state of translation factors. However, the mechanisms underlying clock control of translation initiation, and the impact of this potential regulation on rhythmic protein synthesis, were not known. We show that inhibitory phosphorylation of eIF2α (P-eIF2α), a conserved translation initiation factor, is clock controlled in Neurospora crassa, peaking during the subjective day. Cycling P-eIF2α levels required rhythmic activation of the eIF2α kinase CPC-3 (the homolog of yeast and mammalian GCN2), and rhythmic activation of CPC-3 was abolished under conditions in which the levels of charged tRNAs were altered. Clock-controlled accumulation of P-eIF2α led to reduced translation during the day in vitro and was necessary for the rhythmic synthesis of select proteins in vivo. Finally, loss of rhythmic P-eIF2α levels led to reduced linear growth rates, supporting the idea that partitioning translation to specific times of day provides a growth advantage to the organism. Together, these results reveal a fundamental mechanism by which the clock regulates rhythmic protein production, and provide key insights into how rhythmic translation, cellular energy, stress, and nutrient metabolism are linked through the levels of charged versus uncharged tRNAs.


Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Takaharu Katayama ◽  
Motoaki Sano ◽  
Jin Endo ◽  
Kentaro Hayashida ◽  
Tomohiro Matsuhashi ◽  
...  

[Introduction] Despite an increase in the levels of aldehydes, the heart from aldehyde dehydrogenase ( ALDH ) 2*2 -transgenic (Tg) mice, loss of function model of ALDH, exhibited a greater tolerance to oxidative stress via activation of amino acid metabolism leading to glutathione biosynthesis. This study was designed to identify the signaling cascades responsible for the activation of amino acid metabolism by aldehydes. [Methods & Results] (1) Phosphorylation of α -subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2 α ) and subsequent translational activation of ATF4 have been shown to induce amino acid metabolism as a common response to a wide variety of stressors. Consistent with this, phosphorylation levels of eIF2 α and protein expression of ATF4 were increased in ALDH2*2 -Tg hearts. (2) Among four eIF2 α kinases, general control non-depressible (GCN)2 kinase, a sensor for amino acid insufficiency, was activated in ALDH2*2 -Tg heart. (3) Quantification of intracellular amino acid demonstrated that free histidine concentration in ALDH2*2 -Tg heart was selectively reduced by 50% compared to that in non-Tg littermates. (4) To clarify the functional significance of observed reduction in histidine, ALDH2*2 -Tg mice were fed a high histidine diet. The phosphorylation levels of eIF2 α and the protein levels of ATF4 were diminished by 50% in ALDH2*2 -Tg mice fed the high histidine diet, in agreement with the normalization of histidine concentration. Accordingly, both enhanced tolerance to ischemia-reperfusion injury and elevated levels of glutathione were partially diminished in the heart from ALDH2*2 -Tg mice fed the high histidine diet compared to ALDH2*2 -Tg mice fed normal chow. (5) In culture, exposure to 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE) phosphorylated GCN2 and eIF2 α and increased protein levels of ATF4 in a time-dependent manner. (6) siRNA-mediated knockdown of GCN2 abrogated 4-HNE-induced induction of amino acid metabolic genes. [Conclusions] Activation of eIF2 α -ATF4 pathway via GCN2 kinase might be of special importance in the transcriptional control that coordinately promotes amino acid metabolism in response to aldehydes. Intracellular depletion of free histidine is at least partly involved in the activation of GCN2 kinase by aldehydes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 3816-3831 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Liu ◽  
Qinglv Wei ◽  
Jing Jin ◽  
Qingya Luo ◽  
Yi Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract N 6-Methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant RNA modification in mammal mRNAs and increasing evidence suggests the key roles of m6A in human tumorigenesis. However, whether m6A, especially its ‘reader’ YTHDF1, targets a gene involving in protein translation and thus affects overall protein production in cancer cells is largely unexplored. Here, using multi-omics analysis for ovarian cancer, we identified a novel mechanism involving EIF3C, a subunit of the protein translation initiation factor EIF3, as the direct target of the YTHDF1. YTHDF1 augments the translation of EIF3C in an m6A-dependent manner by binding to m6A-modified EIF3C mRNA and concomitantly promotes the overall translational output, thereby facilitating tumorigenesis and metastasis of ovarian cancer. YTHDF1 is frequently amplified in ovarian cancer and up-regulation of YTHDF1 is associated with the adverse prognosis of ovarian cancer patients. Furthermore, the protein but not the RNA abundance of EIF3C is increased in ovarian cancer and positively correlates with the protein expression of YTHDF1 in ovarian cancer patients, suggesting modification of EIF3C mRNA is more relevant to its role in cancer. Collectively, we identify the novel YTHDF1-EIF3C axis critical for ovarian cancer progression which can serve as a target to develop therapeutics for cancer treatment.


2007 ◽  
Vol 81 (21) ◽  
pp. 11569-11576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroki Sato ◽  
Munemitsu Masuda ◽  
Moeko Kanai ◽  
Kyoko Tsukiyama-Kohara ◽  
Misako Yoneda ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The nonsegmented, negative-sense RNA genome of measles virus (MV) is encapsidated by the virus-encoded nucleocapsid protein (N). In this study, we searched for N-binding cellular proteins by using MV-N as bait and screening the human T-cell cDNA library by yeast two-hybrid assay and isolated the p40 subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 3 (eIF3-p40) as a binding partner. The interaction between MV-N and eIF3-p40 in mammalian cells was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation. Since eIF3-p40 is a translation initiation factor, we analyzed the potential inhibitory effect of MV-N on protein synthesis. Glutathione S-transferase (GST)-fused MV-N (GST-N) inhibited translation of reporter mRNAs in rabbit reticulocyte lysate translation system in a dose-dependent manner. Encephalomyocarditis virus internal ribosomal entry site-mediated translation, which requires canonical initiation factors to initiate translation, was also inhibited by GST-N. In contrast, a unique form of translation mediated by the intergenic region of Plautia stali intestine virus, which can assemble 80S ribosomes in the absence of canonical initiation factors, was scarcely affected by GST-N. In vivo expression of MV-N induced by the Cre/loxP switching system inhibited the synthesis of a transfected reporter protein, as well as overall protein synthesis. These results suggest that MV-N targets eIF3-p40 and may be involved in inhibiting MV-induced host translation.


2008 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
pp. 2298-2309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verena Krähling ◽  
David A. Stein ◽  
Martin Spiegel ◽  
Friedemann Weber ◽  
Elke Mühlberger

ABSTRACT In this study, infection of 293/ACE2 cells with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) activated several apoptosis-associated events, namely, cleavage of caspase-3, caspase-8, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP), and chromatin condensation and the phosphorylation and hence inactivation of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α). In addition, two of the three cellular eIF2α kinases known to be virus induced, protein kinase R (PKR) and PKR-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), were activated by SARS-CoV. The third kinase, general control nonderepressible-2 kinase (GCN2), was not activated, but late in infection the level of GCN2 protein was significantly reduced. Reverse transcription-PCR analyses revealed that the reduction of GCN2 protein was not due to decreased transcription or stability of GCN2 mRNA. The specific reduction of PKR protein expression by antisense peptide-conjugated phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers strongly reduced cleavage of PARP in infected cells. Surprisingly, the knockdown of PKR neither enhanced SARS-CoV replication nor abrogated SARS-CoV-induced eIF2α phosphorylation. Pretreatment of cells with beta interferon prior to SARS-CoV infection led to a significant decrease in PERK activation, eIF2α phosphorylation, and SARS-CoV replication. The various effects of beta interferon treatment were found to function independently on the expression of PKR. Our results show that SARS-CoV infection activates PKR and PERK, leading to sustained eIF2α phosphorylation. However, virus replication was not impaired by these events, suggesting that SARS-CoV possesses a mechanism to overcome the inhibitory effects of phosphorylated eIF2α on viral mRNA translation. Furthermore, our data suggest that viral activation of PKR can lead to apoptosis via a pathway that is independent of eIF2α phosphorylation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (10) ◽  
pp. 2014-2027 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison B. Herman ◽  
Milessa Silva Afonso ◽  
Sheri E. Kelemen ◽  
Mitali Ray ◽  
Christine N. Vrakas ◽  
...  

Objective: Stress granules (SGs) are dynamic cytoplasmic aggregates containing mRNA, RNA-binding proteins, and translation factors that form in response to cellular stress. SGs have been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of several human diseases, but their role in vascular diseases is unknown. This study shows that SGs accumulate in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and macrophages during atherosclerosis. Approach and Results: Immunohistochemical analysis of atherosclerotic plaques from LDLR − /− mice revealed an increase in the stress granule-specific markers Ras-G3BP1 (GTPase-activating protein SH3 domain-binding protein) and PABP (poly-A-binding protein) in intimal macrophages and smooth muscle cells that correlated with disease progression. In vitro, PABP+ and G3BP1+ SGs were rapidly induced in VSMC and bone marrow–derived macrophages in response to atherosclerotic stimuli, including oxidized low-density lipoprotein and mediators of mitochondrial or oxidative stress. We observed an increase in eIF2α (eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2-alpha) phosphorylation, a requisite for stress granule formation, in cells exposed to these stimuli. Interestingly, SG formation, PABP expression, and eIF2α phosphorylation in VSMCs is reversed by treatment with the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-19. Microtubule inhibitors reduced stress granule accumulation in VSMC, suggesting cytoskeletal regulation of stress granule formation. SG formation in VSMCs was also observed in other vascular disease pathologies, including vascular restenosis. Reduction of SG component G3BP1 by siRNA significantly altered expression profiles of inflammatory, apoptotic, and proliferative genes. Conclusions: These results indicate that SG formation is a common feature of the vascular response to injury and disease, and that modification of inflammation reduces stress granule formation in VSMC.


2010 ◽  
Vol 21 (18) ◽  
pp. 3220-3231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hala Muaddi ◽  
Mithu Majumder ◽  
Philippos Peidis ◽  
Andreas I. Papadakis ◽  
Martin Holcik ◽  
...  

Various forms of stress induce pathways that converge on the phosphorylation of the alpha (α) subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF2 at serine 51 (S51), a modification that results in a global inhibition of protein synthesis. In many cases eIF2α phosphorylation is a biological response that facilitates cells to cope with stressful environments. Glucose deficiency, an important form of stress, is associated with an induction of apoptosis. Herein, we demonstrate that eIF2α phosphorylation is a key step in maintaining a balance between the life and death of a glucose-deficient cell. That is, eIF2α phosphorylation acts as a molecular switch that shifts cells from a proapoptotic to a cytoprotective state in response to prolonged glucose deficiency. This adaptation process is associated with the timely expression of proteins and activation of pathways with significant contributions to cell survival and adaptation including the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP). We also show that among the eIF2α kinases GCN2 plays a proapoptotic role whereas PERK and PKR play a cytoprotective one in response to glucose deficiency. Our data demonstrate that eIF2α phosphorylation is a significant determinant of survival and adaptation of glucose-deficient cells with possible important implications in biological processes that interfere with glucose metabolism.


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