Two Structurally Atypical HEAT Domains in the C-Terminal Portion of Human eIF4G Support Binding to eIF4A and Mnk1

Lluís Bellsolell, Park F. Cho-Park, Francis Poulin, Nahum Sonenberg, Stephen K. Burley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

40 Scopus citations

Abstract

The X-ray structure of the C-terminal region of human eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4G (eIF4G) has been determined at 2.2 Å resolution, revealing two atypical HEAT-repeat domains. eIF4G recruits various translation factors and the 40S ribosomal subunit to the mRNA 5′ end. In higher eukaryotes, the C terminus of eIF4G (4G/C) supports translational regulation by recruiting eIF4A, an RNA helicase, and Mnk1, the kinase responsible for phosphorylating eIF4E. Structure-guided surface mutagenesis and protein-protein interaction assays were used to identify binding sites for eIF4A and Mnk1 within the HEAT-repeats of 4G/C. p97/DAP5, a translational modulator homologous to eIF4G, lacks an eIF4A binding site in the corresponding region. The second atypical HEAT domain of the 4G/C binds Mnk1 using two conserved aromatic/acidic-box (AA-box) motifs. Within the first AA-box, the aromatic residues contribute to the hydrophobic core of the domain, while the acidic residues form a negatively charged surface feature suitable for electrostatic interactions with basic residues in Mnk1.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)913-923
Number of pages11
JournalStructure
Volume14
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2006
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Structural Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Keywords

  • RNA

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