scholarly journals Insights into the regulation of eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase and the interplay between its domains

2012 ◽  
Vol 442 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig R. Pigott ◽  
Halina Mikolajek ◽  
Claire E. Moore ◽  
Stephen J. Finn ◽  
Curtis W. Phippen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Catalytic Domain ◽  
Functional Organization ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Kinase Domain ◽  
Conserved Residues ◽  
Elongation Factor 2 ◽  
Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 2 ◽  
Kinase Catalytic Domain ◽  
Eukaryotic Elongation Factor

eEF2K (eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase) is a Ca2+/CaM (calmodulin)-dependent protein kinase which regulates the translation elongation machinery. eEF2K belongs to the small group of so-called ‘α-kinases’ which are distinct from the main eukaryotic protein kinase superfamily. In addition to the α-kinase catalytic domain, other domains have been identified in eEF2K: a CaM-binding region, N-terminal to the kinase domain; a C-terminal region containing several predicted α-helices (resembling SEL1 domains); and a probably rather unstructured ‘linker’ region connecting them. In the present paper, we demonstrate: (i) that several highly conserved residues, implicated in binding ATP or metal ions, are critical for eEF2K activity; (ii) that Ca2+/CaM enhance the ability of eEF2K to bind to ATP, providing the first insight into the allosteric control of eEF2K; (iii) that the CaM-binding/α-kinase domain of eEF2K itself possesses autokinase activity, but is unable to phosphorylate substrates in trans; (iv) that phosphorylation of these substrates requires the SEL1-like domains of eEF2K; and (v) that highly conserved residues in the C-terminal tip of eEF2K are essential for the phosphorylation of eEF2, but not a peptide substrate. On the basis of these findings, we propose a model for the functional organization and control of eEF2K.

scholarly journals Insights Into the Pathologic Roles and Regulation of Eukaryotic Elongation Factor-2 Kinase

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darby J. Ballard ◽  
Hao-Yun Peng ◽  
Jugal Kishore Das ◽  
Anil Kumar ◽  
Liqing Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Protein Translation ◽  
Negative Regulator ◽  
Translation Elongation ◽  
Elongation Factor 2 ◽  
Global Rate ◽  
Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 2 ◽  
Eukaryotic Elongation Factor

Eukaryotic Elongation Factor-2 Kinase (eEF2K) acts as a negative regulator of protein synthesis, translation, and cell growth. As a structurally unique member of the alpha-kinase family, eEF2K is essential to cell survival under stressful conditions, as it contributes to both cell viability and proliferation. Known as the modulator of the global rate of protein translation, eEF2K inhibits eEF2 (eukaryotic Elongation Factor 2) and decreases translation elongation when active. eEF2K is regulated by various mechanisms, including phosphorylation through residues and autophosphorylation. Specifically, this protein kinase is downregulated through the phosphorylation of multiple sites via mTOR signaling and upregulated via the AMPK pathway. eEF2K plays important roles in numerous biological systems, including neurology, cardiology, myology, and immunology. This review provides further insights into the current roles of eEF2K and its potential to be explored as a therapeutic target for drug development.

scholarly journals Identification of autophosphorylation sites in eukaryotic elongation factor-2 kinase

2012 ◽  
Vol 442 (3) ◽  
pp. 681-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sébastien Pyr Dit Ruys ◽  
Xuemin Wang ◽  
Ewan M. Smith ◽  
Gaëtan Herinckx ◽  
Nusrat Hussain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Catalytic Domain ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Translation Elongation ◽  
Intact Cells ◽  
Elongation Factor 2 ◽  
Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 2 ◽  
293 Cells ◽  
Eukaryotic Elongation Factor ◽  
A Site

eEF2K [eEF2 (eukaryotic elongation factor 2) kinase] phosphorylates and inactivates the translation elongation factor eEF2. eEF2K is not a member of the main eukaryotic protein kinase superfamily, but instead belongs to a small group of so-called α-kinases. The activity of eEF2K is normally dependent upon Ca2+ and calmodulin. eEF2K has previously been shown to undergo autophosphorylation, the stoichiometry of which suggested the existence of multiple sites. In the present study we have identified several autophosphorylation sites, including Thr348, Thr353, Ser366 and Ser445, all of which are highly conserved among vertebrate eEF2Ks. We also identified a number of other sites, including Ser78, a known site of phosphorylation, and others, some of which are less well conserved. None of the sites lies in the catalytic domain, but three affect eEF2K activity. Mutation of Ser78, Thr348 and Ser366 to a non-phosphorylatable alanine residue decreased eEF2K activity. Phosphorylation of Thr348 was detected by immunoblotting after transfecting wild-type eEF2K into HEK (human embryonic kidney)-293 cells, but not after transfection with a kinase-inactive construct, confirming that this is indeed a site of autophosphorylation. Thr348 appears to be constitutively autophosphorylated in vitro. Interestingly, other recent data suggest that the corresponding residue in other α-kinases is also autophosphorylated and contributes to the activation of these enzymes [Crawley, Gharaei, Ye, Yang, Raveh, London, Schueler-Furman, Jia and Cote (2011) J. Biol. Chem. 286, 2607–2616]. Ser366 phosphorylation was also detected in intact cells, but was still observed in the kinase-inactive construct, demonstrating that this site is phosphorylated not only autocatalytically but also in trans by other kinases.

Abstract 204: Protective Roles of Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 2 Kinase on Rat Cardiomyoblast Death Under Glucose-deprived Condition

2017 ◽  
Vol 121 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoshi Kameshima ◽  
Muneyoshi Okada ◽  
Hideyuki Yamawaki
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
H9c2 Cell ◽  
H9c2 Cells ◽  
Nuclear Condensation ◽  
Elongation Factor 2 ◽  
Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 2 ◽  
Eukaryotic Elongation Factor

Eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) kinase (eEF2K; also known as calmodulin-dependent protein kinase III) has both active and inactive phosphorylation sites. An intracellular energy sensor, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) was reported to activate eEF2K via increasing dephosphorylation at Ser366 (inactive site). Activated eEF2K phosphorylates and inactivates a specific substrate, eEF2, which results in the inhibition of protein translation consuming high energy. Glucose depletion (GD) is one of the primary causes for cardiomyocyte death in the developed cardiac hypertrophy. We have recently found that the expression and dephosphorylation of eEF2K (Ser366) and eEF2 phosphorylation were significantly increased in left ventricle of several cardiac hypertrophy models. However, it is almost unknown whether eEF2K/eEF2 signals affect GD-induced cardiomyocyte death. The aim of this study was to explore it. GD was induced by incubating H9c2 cells in a glucose-free medium. H9c2 cell viability, apoptotic-like nuclear condensation or protein expression was examined using a cell counting assay, DAPI staining or Western blotting, respectively. GD induced H9c2 cell death (p<0.01, n=6) and caspase-3 fragmentation (p<0.05, n=10-12). In addition, GD significantly increased phosphorylation of AMPK (p<0.05, n=6-8) and eEF2 (p<0.01, n=4-8) as well as eEF2K dephosphorylation at Ser366 (p<0.01, n=4-8). eEF2K gene knockdown (eEF2K KD) by siRNA transfection significantly increased GD-induced H9c2 cell death (p<0.05, n=7) and caspase-3 fragmentation (p<0.01, n=9). Moreover, eEF2K KD significantly facilitated GD-induced increase of nuclear condensation (44.0±3.3%, eEF2K siRNA vs. 30.9±2.4%, control siRNA p<0.01, n=5). AMPK KD did not affect GD-induced H9c2 cell death and eEF2K dephosphorylation. In conclusion, we for the first time revealed in H9c2 cells that activated eEF2K might play protective roles in GD-induced apoptosis via the inhibition of caspase-3 fragmentation, whereas AMPK activation is not directly related to the regulation of eEF2K/eEF2 signals in GD condition. The present results suggest eEF2K as a novel pharmacotherapeutic target for cardiac dysfunction.

scholarly journals Oxytocin-Induced Activation of Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 2 in Myometrial Cells Is Mediated by Protein Kinase C

Endocrinology ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 149 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominic Devost ◽  
Marie-Eve Carrier ◽  
Hans H. Zingg
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase C ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Direct Stimulation ◽  
Trophic Effect ◽  
Kinase C ◽  
Elongation Factor 2 ◽  
Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 2 ◽  
Eukaryotic Elongation Factor

The nonapeptide oxytocin (OT) mediates a wide spectrum of biological action, many of them related to reproduction. Recently, we have shown that OT exerts a trophic effect on uterine smooth muscle cells and induces dephosphorylation, and thus activation, of the translation elongation factor eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2). The present study was designed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this novel action of OT in the well-characterized human myometrial cell line hTERT-C3. Pathways known to induce eEF2 dephosphorylation are mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and the MAPKs ERK1/2 and p38. Using a panel of chemical inhibitors of specific signaling pathways, we determined that none of these pathways played a role in OT-mediated eEF2 dephosphorylation. Because the OT receptor is a G protein-coupled receptor linked to Gαq, we tested the possibility that this OT action was mediated via protein kinase C (PKC). PKC activity was blocked by application of the general PKC chemical inhibitor Go6983 or by incubation with the cell-permeable PKC inhibitor peptide myr-psi PKC. With either approach, the effect of OT on eEF2 dephosphorylation was suppressed, indicating that the PKC pathway is essential for this OT action. Consistent with this idea, we also found that direct stimulation of PKC with the phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate induced eEF2 dephosphorylation. Moreover, we observed that the stimulatory effect of OT on [35S]methionine incorporation into nascent proteins was blocked by PKC inhibition. Overall, these results define a novel hormonal signaling pathway that leads to eEF2 dephosphorylation and activation of protein synthesis.

scholarly journals Elucidation of eukaryotic elongation factor-2 contact sites within the catalytic domain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A

2004 ◽  
Vol 379 (3) ◽  
pp. 563-572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan P. YATES ◽  
Allan R. MERRILL
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Fluorescence Lifetime ◽  
Catalytic Domain ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Contact Sites ◽  
Elongation Factor 2 ◽  
Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 2 ◽  
Eukaryotic Elongation Factor ◽  
Minimal Contact ◽  
Wavelength Emission

Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces the virulence factor, ETA (exotoxin A), which catalyses an ADP-ribosyltransferase reaction of its target protein, eEF2 (eukaryotic elongation factor-2). Currently, this protein–protein interaction is poorly characterized and this study was aimed at identifying the contact sites between eEF2 and the catalytic domain of ETA (PE24H, an ETA from P. aeruginosa, a 24 kDa C-terminal fragment containing a His6 tag). Single-cysteine residues were introduced into the toxin at 21 defined surface-exposed sites and labelled with the fluorophore, IAEDANS [5-(2-iodoacetylaminoethylamino)-1-napthalenesulphonic acid]. Fluorescence quenching studies using acrylamide, and fluorescence lifetime and wavelength emission maxima analyses were conducted in the presence and absence of eEF2. Large changes in the microenvironment of the AEDANS [5-(2-aminoethylamino)-1-naphthalenesulphonic acid] probe after eEF2 binding were not observed as dictated by both fluorescence lifetime and wavelength emission maxima values. This supported the proposed minimal contact model, which suggests that only small, discrete contacts occur between these proteins. As dictated by the bimolecular quenching constant (kq) for acrylamide, binding of eEF2 with toxin caused the greatest change in acrylamide accessibility (>50%) when the fluorescence label was near the active site or was located within a known catalytic loop. All mutant proteins showed a decrease in accessibility to acrylamide once eEF2 bound, although the relative change varied for each labelled protein. From these data, a low-resolution model of the toxin–eEF2 complex was constructed based on the minimal contact model with the intention of enhancing our knowledge on the mode of inactivation of the ribosome translocase by the Pseudomonas toxin.

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