Differential Regulation of the Melanoma Proteome by eIF4A1 and eIF4E

Cailin E Joyce1,2,3, Adrienne G Yanez1,2,3, Akihiro Mori4,5,6

  • 1Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.

Cancer Research
|November 24, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Inhibiting translation factors eIF4A1 and eIF4E slows melanoma growth and invasion. Their anticancer effects differ mechanistically, highlighting the need for subunit-specific inhibitors in cancer therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Therapeutics

Background:

  • Translation initiation factors eukaryotic initiation factor 4A1 (eIF4A1) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) are subunits of the eIF4F complex.
  • Upregulation of eIF4F subunits is common in various cancer cells, making them potential therapeutic targets.
  • Targeting eIF4F subunits is explored for broad-based cancer treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanistic roles of eIF4A1 and eIF4E in melanoma progression.
  • To determine the common and divergent effects of eIF4A1 and eIF4E inhibition on cancer cells.
  • To correlate eIF4A1 and eIF4E targets with patient survival in melanoma.

Main Methods:

  • Preclinical melanoma models were used to study the effects of silencing eIF4A1 or eIF4E.
  • Cell-cycle protein levels were analyzed to understand antiproliferative effects.
  • Clinical specimens were used to correlate eIF4A1/eIF4E targets with patient survival.
  • Comparative proteomic and transcriptomic analyses were performed to reveal mechanistic differences.

Main Results:

  • Silencing eIF4A1 or eIF4E reduced melanoma proliferation and invasion.
  • Common effects on cell-cycle proteins were observed, explaining antiproliferative impacts.
  • Proteomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed significant mechanistic divergence between eIF4A1 and eIF4E inhibition.
  • Contrary to current models, common translational effects involved coding regions and 3'UTRs, while divergent effects involved 5'UTRs.

Conclusions:

  • eIF4A1 and eIF4E play crucial roles in melanoma progression, and their inhibition shows therapeutic potential.
  • The common antiproliferative effects are linked to cell-cycle regulation.
  • Mechanistic studies reveal distinct roles for eIF4A1 and eIF4E in translation, challenging existing models.
  • Evaluating subunit-specific eIF4F inhibitors is essential for understanding and optimizing anticancer strategies in diverse disease contexts.

Related Concept Videos

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
5.0K
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
8.3K
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a...
6.1K
Master Transcription Regulators02:23

Master Transcription Regulators

Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a  complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
8.0K
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply01:24

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits.  Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl...
3.9K
MAPK Signaling Cascades01:07

MAPK Signaling Cascades

Mitogen-activated protein kinase, or MAPK pathway, activates three sequential kinases to regulate cellular responses such as proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis. The canonical MAPK pathway starts with a mitogen or growth factor binding to an RTK. The activated RTKs stimulate Ras, which recruits Raf or MAP3 Kinase (MAPKKK), the first kinase of the MAPK signaling cascade. Raf further phosphorylates and activates MEK or MAP2 Kinases (MAPKK), which in turn phosphorylates MAP...
9.0K