PRRC2B is an intrinsically disordered RNA-binding protein that is part of the cell’s translation machinery. Here we show that PRRC2B has two alternatively spliced mRNA transcripts producing major long and minor short isoforms. Mass spectrometry-based interaction studies indicated that both isoforms associate with the 40S ribosomal subunit and translation initiation factors. Importantly, the long isoform also interacted with additional RNA-binding proteins through its unique Arg/Gly-rich region. Among these is LARP1, a regulator of 5’ terminal oligopyrimidine (TOP) mRNAs under conditions of mTOR inhibition. We discovered that like LARP1, PRRC2B is necessary for preservation of 5’ TOP mRNA levels, particularly those encoding ribosomal proteins, during amino acid starvation. In its absence, the rapid de novo translation of ribosomal proteins that takes place upon nutrient recovery is impeded. Overall, our study elucidates a newly discovered function for PRRC2B as an RNA-binding protein that regulates ribosomal biogenesis upon metabolic shift, in addition to its established function in initiating translation of specific mRNA targets.

FMRP is a multifunctional protein encoded by the Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 gene (FMR1). The inactivation of the FMR1 gene results in fragile X syndrome (FXS), a serious neurodevelopmental disorder. FMRP deficiency causes abnormal neurite outgrowth, which is likely to lead to abnormal learning and memory capabilities. However, the mechanism of FMRP in modulating neuronal development remains unknown. We found that FMRP enhances the translation of 4EBP2, a neuron-specific form of 4EBPs that inactivates eIF4E by inhibiting the interaction between eIF4E and eIF4G. Depletion of 4EBP2 results in abnormal neurite outgrowth. Moreover, the impairment of neurite outgrowth upon FMRP depletion was overcome by the ectopic expression of 4EBP2. These results suggest that FMRP controls neuronal development by enhancing 4EBP2 expression at the translational level. In addition, treatment with 4EGI-1, a chemical that blocks eIF4E activity, restored neurite length in FMRP-depleted and 4EBP2-depleted cells. In conclusion, we discovered that 4EBP2 functions as a key downstream regulator of FMRP activity in neuronal development and that FMRP represses eIF4E activity by enhancing 4EBP2 translation.

The non-canonical translation initiation factor EIF4G2 plays essential roles in embryonic development and differentiation, and contributes to the cellular stress response via translation of selective mRNA cohorts. Currently there is limited and conflicting information regarding the potential involvement of EIF4G2 in cancer development and progression. Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most pervasive gynecological cancer in the developed world, with increasing incidence every year. High grade ECs are largely refractory to conventional treatments, presenting poor survival rates and lacking suitable prognostic markers. Here we assayed a cohort of 280 EC patients across different types, grades, and stages, and found that low EIF4G2 expression highly correlated with poor overall and recurrence free survival in Grade 2 EC patients, monitored over a period of up to 12 years. To establish a causative connection between low EIF4G2 expression and cancer progression, we analyzed in parallel two independent human EC cell lines and demonstrated that stable EIF4G2 knock-down resulted in increased resistance to conventional therapies. Depletion of EIF4G2 also increased the prevalence of molecular markers for aggressive cell subsets, and altered their transcriptional and proteomic landscapes. Prominent among the proteins with decreased abundance were Kinesin-1 motor proteins KIF5B and KLC1, 2, 3. Multiplexed imaging of the tumors from this EC patient cohort showed a correlation between decreased protein expression of either KIF5B or KLC1, and poor survival in patients of certain grades and stages. The findings herein reveal potential novel biomarkers for Grade 2 EC with potential ramifications for patient stratification and therapeutic interventions. Significance Decreased EIF4G2 protein results in increased drug resistance of aggressive sub-populations of endometrial cancer cells, is associated with poor patient survival, and may serve as a novel prognosis marker for endometrial cancer.

Tumor cells often exploit the protein translation machinery, resulting in enhanced protein expression essential for tumor growth. Since canonical translation initiation is often suppressed due to cell stress in the tumor microenvironment, non-canonical translation initiation mechanisms become particularly important for shaping the tumor proteome. EIF4G2 is a non-canonical translation initiation factor that mediates internal ribosome entry site [IRES] and upstream open reading frame [uORF] dependent initiation mechanisms, which can be used to modulate protein expression in cancer. Here we explored the contribution of EIF4G2 to cancer by screening the COSMIC database for EIF4G2 somatic mutations in cancer patients. Functional examination of missense mutations revealed deleterious effects on EIF4G2 protein-protein interactions, and importantly, on its ability to mediate non-canonical translation initiation. Specifically, one mutation, R178Q, led to reductions in protein expression and near complete loss-of-function. Two other mutations within the MIF4G domain specifically affected EIF4G2’s ability to mediate IRES-dependent translation initiation but not that of target mRNAs with uORFs. These results shed light on both the structure-function of EIF4G2 and its potential tumor suppressor effects.

Cancer cell plasticity enables cell survival in harsh physiological environments and fate transitions such as the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) that underlies invasion and metastasis. Using genome-wide transcriptomic and translatomic studies, an alternate mechanism of cap-dependent mRNA translation by the DAP5/eIF3d complex is shown to be essential for metastasis, EMT, and tumor directed angiogenesis. DAP5/eIF3d carries out selective translation of mRNAs encoding EMT transcription factors and regulators, cell migration integrins, metalloproteinases, and cell survival and angiogenesis factors. DAP5 is overexpressed in metastatic human breast cancers associated with poor metastasis-free survival. In human and murine breast cancer animal models, DAP5 is not required for primary tumor growth but is essential for EMT, cell migration, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, and resistance to anoikis. Thus, cancer cell mRNA translation involves two cap-dependent mRNA translation mechanisms, eIF4E/mTORC1 and DAP5/eIF3d. These findings highlight a surprising level of plasticity in mRNA translation during cancer progression and metastasis.
Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.