The human translation initiation multi-factor complex promotes methionyl-tRNAi binding to the 40S ribosomal subunit

The delivery of Met-tRNAi to the 40S ribosomal subunit is thought to occur by way of a ternary complex (TC) comprising eIF2, GTP and Met-tRNAi. We have generated from purified human proteins a stable multifactor complex (MFC) comprising eIF1, eIF2, eIF3 and eIF5, similar to the MFC reported in yeast and plants. A human MFC free of the ribosome also is detected in HeLa cells and rabbit reticulocytes, indicating that it exists in vivo. In vitro, the MFC-GTP binds Met-tRNAi and delivers the tRNA to the ribosome at the same rate as the TC. However, MFC-GDP shows a greatly reduced affinity to Met-tRNAi compared to that for eIF2-GDP, suggesting that MFC components may play a role in the release of eIF2-GDP from the ribosome following AUG recognition. Since an MFC–Met-tRNAi complex is detected in cell lysates, it may be responsible for Met-tRNAi–40S ribosome binding in vivo, possibly together with the TC. However, the MFC protein components also bind individually to 40S ribosomes, creating the possibility that Met-tRNAi might bind directly to such 40S-factor complexes. Thus, three distinct pathways for Met-tRNAi delivery to the 40S ribosomal subunit are identified, but which one predominates in vivo remains to be elucidated

Attenuation of muscle atrophy in a murine model of cachexia by inhibition of the dsRNA-dependent protein kinase

Atrophy of skeletal muscle is due to a depression in protein synthesis and an increase in degradation. Studies in vitro have suggested that activation of the dsRNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) may be responsible for these changes in protein synthesis and degradation. In order to evaluate whether this is also applicable to cancer cachexia the action of a PKR inhibitor on the development of cachexia has been studied in mice bearing the MAC16 tumour. Treatment of animals with the PKR inhibitor (5 mg kg−1) significantly reduced levels of phospho-PKR in muscle down to that found in non-tumour-bearing mice, and effectively attenuated the depression of body weight, with increased muscle mass, and also inhibited tumour growth. There was an increase in protein synthesis in skeletal muscle, which paralleled a decrease in eukaryotic initiation factor 2α phosphorylation. Protein degradation rates in skeletal muscle were also significantly decreased, as was proteasome activity levels and expression. Myosin levels were increased up to values found in non-tumour-bearing animals. Proteasome expression correlated with a decreased nuclear accumulation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). The PKR inhibitor also significantly inhibited tumour growth, although this appeared to be a separate event from the effect on muscle wasting. These results suggest that inhibition of the autophosphorylation of PKR may represent an appropriate target for the attenuation of muscle atrophy in cancer cachexia