Unraveling the dynamics of protein-protein interactions in the Gcn2 signal transduction pathway : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Genetics, Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
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Date
2016
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Massey University
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Abstract
Eukaryotic cells regulate protein synthesis (translation) for a rapid response to various types of
stress, and this involves several protein-protein interactions (PPIs) and protein phosphorylation.
Phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor-2 α (eIF2α) is a common regulatory mechanism to
adjust protein synthesis in response to various stimuli. Gcn2 (General Control Non-derepressible)
is an eIF2α kinase that is conserved from yeast to mammals, that is activated in response to
amino acid starvation. Gcn2 activation leads to a reduction in global protein synthesis and
simultaneous augmented translation of GCN4, a transcriptional activator of genes that are
necessary to overcome stress. This cascade of events that allows cells in stress adaptation
constitutes the General Amino Acid control (GAAC) pathway in yeast.
Gcn2 activity is controlled by a large array of proteins that directly or indirectly regulate Gcn2.
Gcn2 has to bind another protein called Gcn1, in order to be activated in response to amino acid
starvation. Yih1 (Yeast IMPACT homolog 1) in yeast and its counterpart IMPACT (IMPrinted
and AnCienT) in mammals are homologous proteins that indirectly regulate Gcn2.
Yih1/IMPACT inhibit Gcn2 by competing for Gcn1 binding. Yih1 associates with Actin, and
studies so far have suggested that Yih1 only inhibits Gcn2 when it dissociates from Actin. The
focus of this thesis work was to shed more light on those interactions relevant for Gcn2
regulation.
Firstly, we have identified that the Yih1 mediated interactions occur at distinct cellular locations
within the cell, supporting the idea that spatially restricted cellular interactions controlled Gcn2
function. Using in vitro studies we have identified the regions on eEF1A that are involved in
Gcn2 and Yih1 binding. The distinct binding sites for both proteins on eEF1A led to further
investigations on how the dynamics of these interactions involving eEF1A might affect Gcn2
function. Together with unpublished observations by E Sattlegger and B Castilho, a function for
the Yih1 ancient domain in interacting with eEF1A has been identified. Finally, the mechanisms
by which Actin might control Gcn2 function were studied. In this regard, we have identified the
Yih1-Actin interaction as one of the key PPIs involved in the crosstalk between the cytoskeleton
and Gcn2 regulation. Together, the findings presented in this thesis, support the hypothesis that
Gcn2 activity is spatiotemporally controlled by dynamic PPIs that occur at specific time at
particular locations.
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Content removed from Publications section for copyright reasons:
Cridge, A. G., Viswewaraiah, J., Ramesh, R., & Sattlegger, E. (2014). Semi-quantitative colony immunoassay for determining and optimizing protein expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cerevisiae and Escherichia coli. Analytical Biochemistry, 447, 82-89. doi: 10.1016/j.ab.2013.10.020
Castilho, B. A., Shanmugam, R., Silva, R. C., Ramesh, R., Himme, B. M., & Sattlegger, E. (2014). Keeping the eIF2 alpha kinase Gcn2 in check. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1843, 1948-1968. doi: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2014.04.006
Keywords
Protein interactions, Protein synthesis, Actin