RNA-stimulated ATPase activity of eukaryotic initiation factors

Previously, we have described an ATP-dependent recognition and binding of mRNA by eukaryotic initiation factors (eIF)-4A, eIF-4B, and eIF-4F (Grifo, J. A., Tahara, S. M., Leis, J. P., Morgan, M. A., Shatkin, A. J., and Merrick, W. C. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 5246-5252; Grifo, J. A., Tahara, S. M., Morgan, M. A., Shatkin, A. J., and Merrick, W. C. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 5804-5810). This finding was consistent with other studies which implicated eIF-4A and eIF-4B in binding mRNA to the 40 S ribosomal subunit, an ATP-requiring process. As part of ongoing studies of this step, and, in particular its ATP requirement, we have examined ATPase activity of various initiation factors. In this communication we describe an RNA-dependent ATP hydrolysis catalyzed by eIF-4A and eIF-4F. Although eIF-4B has little or no ATPase activity it can stimulate the RNA-dependent ATPase activity of either eIF-4A or eIF-4F. Similar to the ATP-dependent mRNA binding assay, the RNA-dependent ATPase activity is inhibited by the cap analogue m7GDP when globin mRNA is used as the activator. In addition, a variety of polynucleotides stimulate the ATPase activity of these factors including rRNA, tRNA, poly(U), and poly(A) but not poly(dA). Finally, an attempt has been made to discern whether phosphorylation or ATP hydrolysis is responsible for the ATP-stimulated binding of mRNA by eIF-4A and eIF-4B. We present evidence which is consistent with the interpretation that ATP hydrolysis and not protein phosphorylation correlates with ATP-stimulated binding of mRNA.