Vivienne J. Tilleray

p53 activation results in rapid dephosphorylation of the eIF4E-binding protein 4E-BP1, inhibition of ribosomal protein S6 kinase and inhibition of translation initiation.

p53 is an important regulator of cell cycle progression and apoptosis, and inactivation of p53 is associated with tumorigenesis. Although p53 exerts many of its effects through regulation of transcription, this protein is also found in association with ribosomes and several mRNAs have been identified that are translationally controlled in a p53-dependent manner. We have utilized murine erythroleukemic cells that express a temperature-sensitive p53 protein to determine whether p53 also functions at the level of translation. The data presented here demonstrate that p53 causes a rapid decrease in translation initiation. Analysis of several potential mechanisms for regulating protein synthesis shows that p53 has selective effects on the phosphorylation of the eIF4E-binding protein, 4E-BP1, and the activity of the p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase. These data provide evidence that modulation of translational activity constitutes a further mechanism by which the growth inhibitory effects of p53 may be mediated.

Regulation of the interferon-inducible eIF-2α protein kinase by small RNAs

This review describes the structure and function of the double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) and its interaction with RNA activators and inhibitors. The abilities of small virally-encoded RNAs such as VAI RNA of adenovirus, the Epstein-Barr virus encoded (EBER) RNAs and the Tat-responsive region RNA of HIV-1 to bind to and regulate PKR are reviewed, and the physiological implications of such regulation for the control of viral replication and cell growth are discussed. The potential effects on the activity of PKR of other proteins that bind double-stranded RNA and/or small viral and cellular RNAs are also considered.

Stimulation of initiation factor eIF-2 by a rat liver protein with GDPase activity

Abstract Phosphocellulose chromatography of initiation factor eIF-2 from rat liver separates it from a protein fraction which is highly stimulatory for [eIF-2.GTP.Met-tRNAf] ternary complex formation. Evidence is presented which indicates that this stimulatory fraction contains a specific GDPase activity. eIF-2 dependent formation of 40S ribosomal initiation complexes is also enhanced by the GDPase preparation. The enzyme may play a role in the recycling of eIF-2 by removing inhibitory GDP which is generated during 80S initiation complex formation.

Regulation of protein synthesis in lymphoblastoid cells during inhibition of cell proliferation by human inteferons

Treatment of human lymphoblastoid (Daudi) cells with interferons inhibits cell proliferation in culture within 24 h. The failure of cell growth has been shown to be associated with impaired processing and decreased stability of newly replicated DNA. Because there is a close relationship between DNA replication and protein synthesis we have measured protein synthesis in intact Daudi cells. Protein synthesis declined steadily between 24 and 96 h after interferon treatment to a value which is only 20–30% of the rate in control cells. The enzyme 2′,5′‐oligo(A) synthetase is induced but our data do not support a role for the 2′,5′‐oligo(A)‐activated ribonuclease in the control of translation in this system.