Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) is a key player in the integrated stress response, whose expression is subject to tight translational control. Studying its stress-provoked induction, accompanied by the general translational shutdown, is intricate because the expression of reference genes declines rapidly, and finding appropriate normalization controls is challenging. We present a protocol for human hemagglutinin-tagged ATF4 (hATF4-HA) detection and high-throughput quantification in non-stress versus stress conditions using automated and quantitative western blotting. We describe steps for seeding cells, transfecting plasmids, thapsigargin treatment, sample preparation, and target protein detection. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Smirnova et al.1.

• Klíčová slova
• cell culture, gene expression, protein expression and purification,
• MeSH
• fyziologický stres * fyziologie   MeSH
• HEK293 buňky MeSH
• hemaglutininy genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• transkripční faktor ATF4 * metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• western blotting * metody   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• ATF4 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• hemaglutininy MeSH
• transkripční faktor ATF4 * MeSH

Protein synthesis plays a major role in homeostasis and when dysregulated leads to various pathologies including cancer. To this end, imbalanced expression of eukaryotic translation initiation factors (eIFs) is not only a consequence but also a driver of neoplastic growth. eIF3 is the largest, multi-subunit translation initiation complex with a modular assembly, where aberrant expression of one subunit generates only partially functional subcomplexes. To comprehensively study the effects of eIF3 remodeling, we contrasted the impact of eIF3d, eIF3e or eIF3h depletion on the translatome of HeLa cells using Ribo-seq. Depletion of eIF3d or eIF3e, but not eIF3h reduced the levels of multiple components of the MAPK signaling pathways. Surprisingly, however, depletion of all three eIF3 subunits increased MAPK/ERK pathway activity. Depletion of eIF3e and partially eIF3d also increased translation of TOP mRNAs that encode mainly ribosomal proteins and other components of the translational machinery. Moreover, alterations in eIF3 subunit stoichiometry were often associated with changes in translation of mRNAs containing short uORFs, as in the case of the proto-oncogene MDM2 and the transcription factor ATF4. Collectively, perturbations in eIF3 subunit stoichiometry exert specific effect on the translatome comprising signaling and stress-related transcripts with complex 5' UTRs that are implicated in homeostatic adaptation to stress and cancer.

• Klíčová slova
• MAPK pathway, eIF3, genetics, genomics, human, ribosomal proteins, ribosome, translation, translational control,
• MeSH
• eukaryotický iniciační faktor 3 * metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• HeLa buňky MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• MAP kinasový signální systém * MeSH
• proteosyntéza MeSH
• protoonkogen Mas * MeSH
• ribozomální proteiny * metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• eukaryotický iniciační faktor 3 * MeSH
• MAS1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• protoonkogen Mas * MeSH
• ribozomální proteiny * MeSH

Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) is a master transcriptional regulator of the integrated stress response, leading cells toward adaptation or death. ATF4's induction under stress was thought to be due to delayed translation reinitiation, where the reinitiation-permissive upstream open reading frame 1 (uORF1) plays a key role. Accumulating evidence challenging this mechanism as the sole source of ATF4 translation control prompted us to investigate additional regulatory routes. We identified a highly conserved stem-loop in the uORF2/ATF4 overlap, immediately preceded by a near-cognate CUG, which introduces another layer of regulation in the form of ribosome queuing. These elements explain how the inhibitory uORF2 can be translated under stress, confirming prior observations but contradicting the original regulatory model. We also identified two highly conserved, potentially modified adenines performing antagonistic roles. Finally, we demonstrated that the canonical ATF4 translation start site is substantially leaky scanned. Thus, ATF4's translational control is more complex than originally described, underpinning its key role in diverse biological processes.

• Klíčová slova
• ATF4, CP: Molecular biology, integrated stress response, ribosome, ribosome queuing, translation reinitiation, translational control, unfolded protein response,
• MeSH
• fyziologický stres MeSH
• HEK293 buňky MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• otevřené čtecí rámce * genetika   MeSH
• proteosyntéza * MeSH
• ribozomy * metabolismus   MeSH
• sekvence nukleotidů MeSH
• transkripční faktor ATF4 * metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
• Názvy látek
• ATF4 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• transkripční faktor ATF4 * MeSH

Canonical mRNA translation in eukaryotes begins with the formation of the 43S pre-initiation complex (PIC). Its assembly requires binding of initiator Met-tRNAiMet and several eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs) to the small ribosomal subunit (40S). Compared to their mammalian hosts, trypanosomatids present significant structural differences in their 40S, suggesting substantial variability in translation initiation. Here, we determine the structure of the 43S PIC from Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite causing Chagas disease. Our structure shows numerous specific features, such as the variant eIF3 structure and its unique interactions with the large rRNA expansion segments (ESs) 9S, 7S, and 6S, and the association of a kinetoplastid-specific DDX60-like helicase. It also reveals the 40S-binding site of the eIF5 C-terminal domain and structures of key terminal tails of several conserved eIFs underlying their activities within the PIC. Our results are corroborated by glutathione S-transferase (GST) pull-down assays in both human and T. cruzi and mass spectrometry data.

• Klíčová slova
• ES6(S), ES7(S), ES9(S), Trypanosoma cruzi, cryo-EM, eIF1, eIF2, eIF3, eIF5-CTD, k-DDX60, the 43S pre-initiation complex, translation initiation,
• MeSH
• molekulární modely MeSH
• proteosyntéza imunologie   MeSH
• savci MeSH
• Trypanosomatina patogenita   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH