AbstractInositol hexakisphosphate kinases (IP6Ks) are ubiquitously expressed small molecule kinases that catalyze the conversion of the inositol phosphate IP6 to 5-IP7. IP6Ks have been reported to influence cellular functions by protein-protein interactions independent of their enzymatic activity. Here, we show that IP6K1 regulates the formation of processing bodies (P-bodies), which are cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein granules that serve as sites for storage of translationally repressed mRNA. Cells with reduced levels of IP6K1 display a dramatic reduction in the number of P-bodies, which can be restored by the expression of active or catalytically inactive IP6K1. IP6K1 does not localize to P-bodies, but instead facilitates the formation of P-bodies by promoting translation suppression. We demonstrate that IP6K1 is present on ribosomes, where it interacts with proteins that constitute the mRNA decapping complex – the scaffold protein EDC4, activator proteins DCP1A/B, and the decapping enzyme DCP2. IP6K1 also interacts with components of the eIF4F translation initiation complex – the scaffolding protein eIF4G1, the RNA helicase eIF4A2, and the cap binding protein eIF4E. The RNA helicase DDX6 and the eIF4E binding protein 4E-T are known to promote translation suppression to facilitate P-body formation. We show that IP6K1 binds to DDX6 and promotes the interaction of DDX6 and 4E-T with the cap binding protein eIF4E, and also enhances the binding between DDX6 and EDC4, thus acting to suppress mRNA translation and promote mRNA decapping. Our findings unveil IP6K1 as a novel facilitator of proteome remodelling on the mRNA cap, tipping the balance in favour of translation repression over initiation, and thus leading to the formation of P-bodies.
Multiple Processing Body Factors and the ARE Binding Protein TTP Activate mRNA Decapping
