HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

Structure of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF4E in complex with 4EGI-1 reveals an allosteric mechanism for dissociating eIF4G.

Abstract
The interaction of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF4E with the initiation factor eIF4G recruits the 40S ribosomal particle to the 5' end of mRNAs, facilitates scanning to the AUG start codon, and is crucial for eukaryotic translation of nearly all genes. Efficient recruitment of the 40S particle is particularly important for translation of mRNAs encoding oncoproteins and growth-promoting factors, which often harbor complex 5' UTRs and require efficient initiation. Thus, inhibiting the eIF4E/eIF4G interaction has emerged as a previously unpursued route for developing anticancer agents. Indeed, we discovered small-molecule inhibitors of this eIF4E/eIF4G interaction (4EGIs) that inhibit translation initiation both in vitro and in vivo and were used successfully in numerous cancer-biology and neurobiology studies. However, their detailed molecular mechanism of action has remained elusive. Here, we show that the eIF4E/eIF4G inhibitor 4EGI-1 acts allosterically by binding to a site on eIF4E distant from the eIF4G binding epitope. Data from NMR mapping and high-resolution crystal structures are congruent with this mechanism, where 4EGI-1 attaches to a hydrophobic pocket of eIF4E between β-sheet2 (L60-T68) and α-helix1 (E69-N77), causing localized conformational changes mainly in the H78-L85 region. It acts by unfolding a short 310-helix (S82-L85) while extending α-helix1 by one turn (H78-S82). This unusual helix rearrangement has not been seen in any previous eIF4E structure and reveals elements of an allosteric inhibition mechanism leading to the dislocation of eIF4G from eIF4E.
AuthorsEvangelos Papadopoulos, Simon Jenni, Eihab Kabha, Khuloud J Takrouri, Tingfang Yi, Nicola Salvi, Rafael E Luna, Evripidis Gavathiotis, Poornachandran Mahalingam, Haribabu Arthanari, Ricard Rodriguez-Mias, Revital Yefidoff-Freedman, Bertal H Aktas, Michael Chorev, Jose A Halperin, Gerhard Wagner
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A) Vol. 111 Issue 31 Pg. E3187-95 (Aug 05 2014) ISSN: 1091-6490 [Electronic] United States
PMID25049413 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References
  • 4EGI-1 compound
  • Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4E
  • Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4G
  • Hydrazones
  • Ligands
  • Peptides
  • RNA Caps
  • Solutions
  • Thiazoles
Topics
  • Allosteric Regulation
  • Binding Sites
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4E (antagonists & inhibitors, chemistry, metabolism)
  • Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4G (chemistry, metabolism)
  • Humans
  • Hydrazones (chemistry, metabolism)
  • Ligands
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Models, Molecular
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Peptides (chemistry, metabolism)
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • RNA Caps (metabolism)
  • Solutions
  • Thiazoles (chemistry, metabolism)

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: