Regulation of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) phosphorylation by mitogen-activated protein kinase occurs through modulation of Mnk1-eIF4G interaction

Mol Cell Biol. 2010 Nov;30(21):5160-7. doi: 10.1128/MCB.00448-10. Epub 2010 Sep 7.

Abstract

The m(7)G cap binding protein eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) is a rate-limiting determinant of protein synthesis. Elevated eIF4E levels, commonly associated with neoplasia, promote oncogenesis, and phosphorylation of eIF4E at Ser209 is critical for its tumorigenic potential. eIF4E phosphorylation is catalyzed by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-interacting serine/threonine kinase (Mnk), a substrate of Erk1/2 and p38 MAPKs. Interaction with the scaffolding protein eIF4G, which also binds eIF4E, brings Mnk and its substrate into physical proximity. Thus, Mnk-eIF4G interaction is important for eIF4E phosphorylation. Through coimmunoprecipitation assays, we showed that MAPK-mediated phosphorylation of the Mnk1 active site controls eIF4G binding. Utilizing a naturally occurring splice variant, we demonstrated that the C-terminal domain of Mnk1 restricts its interaction with eIF4G, preventing eIF4E phosphorylation in the absence of MAPK signaling. Furthermore, using a small-molecule Mnk1 inhibitor and kinase-dead mutant, we established that Mnk1 autoregulates its interaction with eIF4G, releasing itself from the scaffold after phosphorylation of its substrate. Our findings indicate tight control of eIF4E phosphorylation through modulation of Mnk1-eIF4G interaction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Line
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4E / genetics
  • Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4E / metabolism*
  • Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4G / genetics
  • Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4G / metabolism
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / chemistry
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / chemistry
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / deficiency
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4E
  • Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4G
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • MKNK1 protein, human
  • Mknk1 protein, mouse
  • Mknk2 protein, mouse
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases