scholarly journals Upregulation of eIF4E, but not other translation initiation factors, in dendritic spines during memory consolidation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofya Gindina ◽  
Benjamin Botsford ◽  
Kiriana Cowansage ◽  
Joseph LeDoux ◽  
Eric Klann ◽  
...  

AbstractLocal translation can provide a rapid, spatially targeted supply of new proteins in distal dendrites to support synaptic changes that underlie learning. Learning and memory are especially sensitive to manipulations of translational control mechanisms, particularly those that target the initiation step, and translation initiation at synapses could be a means of maintaining synapse specificity during plasticity. Initiation predominantly occurs via recruitment of ribosomes to the 5’ mRNA cap by complexes of eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs), and the interaction between eIF4E and eIF4G1 is a particularly important target of translational control pathways. Pharmacological inhibition of eIF4E-eIF4G1 binding impairs consolidation of memory for aversive Pavlovian conditioning as well as the accompanying increase in polyribosomes in the heads of dendritic spines in the lateral amygdala (LA). This is consistent with a role for initiation at synapses in memory formation, but whether eIFs are even present near synapses is unknown. To determine whether dendritic spines contain eIFs and whether eIF distribution is affected by learning, we combined immunolabeling with serial section transmission electron microscopy (ssTEM) volume reconstructions of LA dendrites after Pavlovian conditioning. Labeling for eIF4E, eIF4G1, and eIF2α – another key target of regulation – occurred in roughly half of dendritic spines, but learning effects were only found for eIF4E, which was upregulated in the heads of dendritic spines. Our results support the possibility of regulated translation initiation as a means of synapse-specific protein targeting during learning and are consistent with the model of eIF4E availability as a central point of control.

2005 ◽  
Vol 171 (5) ◽  
pp. 811-821 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huidong Wang ◽  
Anna Iacoangeli ◽  
Daisy Lin ◽  
Keith Williams ◽  
Robert B. Denman ◽  
...  

Translational control at the synapse is thought to be a key determinant of neuronal plasticity. How is such control implemented? We report that small untranslated BC1 RNA is a specific effector of translational control both in vitro and in vivo. BC1 RNA, expressed in neurons and germ cells, inhibits a rate-limiting step in the assembly of translation initiation complexes. A translational repression element is contained within the unique 3′ domain of BC1 RNA. Interactions of this domain with eukaryotic initiation factor 4A and poly(A) binding protein mediate repression, indicating that the 3′ BC1 domain targets a functional interaction between these factors. In contrast, interactions of BC1 RNA with the fragile X mental retardation protein could not be documented. Thus, BC1 RNA modulates translation-dependent processes in neurons and germs cells by directly interacting with translation initiation factors.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deniz Bartsch ◽  
Kaustubh Kalamkar ◽  
Gaurav Ahuja ◽  
Hisham Bazzi ◽  
Argyris Papantonis ◽  
...  

SUMMARYIn mammals, translation is uniquely regulated at the exit of pluripotency to rapidly reprogram the proteome to enable lineage commitment. Yet, the developmental mediators of translational control and their mode-of-action remain elusive. Using human embryonic stem cells, we identified RBPMS as a vital translation specialization factor that allows selective translation of developmental regulators. RBPMS-driven translational control balances the abundance of cell-fate regulators to enable accurate lineage decisions upon receiving differentiation cues. RBPMS loss, without affecting pluripotency, specifically and severely impedes mesoderm specification and subsequent cardiogenesis. Mechanistically, the direct binding of RBPMS to 3’UTR allows selective translation of transcripts encoding developmental regulators including integral components of central morphogen signaling networks specifying mesoderm. RBPMS-loss results in aberrant retention of key translation initiation factors on ribosomal complexes. Our data unveil how emerging lineage choices from pluripotency are controlled by translational specialization via ribosomal platforms acting as a regulatory nexus for developmental cell fate decisions.IN BRIEFFuture lineage choices from pluripotency are controlled by translational specialization. The RNA binding protein RBPMS is a vital translational specialization factor that unlocks the mesoderm commitment potential of pluripotent stem cells by enabling selective translation of cell-fate regulators instructing lineage decisions.HIGHLIGHTSLineage choices emerging from pluripotency are selectively controlled by translational specializationThe RNA-binding protein RBPMS is a translation specialization factor dedicated to mesoderm commitmentRBPMS-driven translational specialization enables accurate lineage commitment via balancing the availability of key morphogen signaling componentsRBPMS loss selectively impairs mesoderm commitment and subsequently impedes cardiogenesisRBPMS binds the 3’UTRs of target mRNAs to allow their selective translation; its depletion leads to aberrant retention of key translation initiation factors on ribosomal complexes


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Li ◽  
Jihong Yang ◽  
Xin Huang ◽  
Hongwei Zhou ◽  
Jianlong Wang

Translational control has emerged as a fundamental regulatory layer of proteome complexity that governs cellular identity and functions. As initiation is the rate-limiting step of translation, we carried out an RNAi screen for key translation initiation factors required to maintain embryonic stem cell (ESC) identity. We identified eIF4A2 and defined its mechanistic action through Rps26-independent and -dependent ribosomes in translation initiation activation of mRNAs encoding pluripotency factors and the histone variant H3.3 with demonstrated roles in maintaining stem cell pluripotency. eIF4A2 also mediates translation initiation activation of Ddx6, which acts together with eIF4A2 to restrict the totipotent 2-cell transcription program in ESCs through Zscan4 mRNA degradation and translation repression. Accordingly, knockdown of eIF4A2 disrupts ESC proteome causing the loss of ESC identity. Collectively, we establish a translational paradigm of the protein synthesis of pluripotency transcription factors and epigenetic regulators imposed on their established roles in controlling pluripotency.


2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 648-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathaniel P. Hoyle ◽  
Mark P. Ashe

Both the process and synthesis of factors required for protein synthesis (or translation) account for a large proportion of cellular activity. In eukaryotes, the most complex and highly regulated phase of protein synthesis is that of initiation. For instance, across eukaryotes, at least 12 factors containing 22 or more proteins are involved, and there are several regulated steps. Recently, the localization of mRNA and factors involved in translation has received increased attention. The present review provides a general background to the subcellular localization of mRNA and translation initiation factors, and focuses on the potential functions of localized translation initiation factors. That is, as genuine sites for translation initiation, as repositories for factors and mRNA, and as sites of regulation.


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