LARP1 functions as a molecular switch for mTORC1-mediated translation of an essential class of mRNAs

Abstract

The RNA binding protein, LARP1, has been proposed to function downstream of mTORC1 to regulate the translation of 5’TOP mRNAs such as those encoding ribosome proteins (RP). However, the roles of LARP1 in the translation of 5’TOP mRNAs are controversial and its regulatory roles in mTORC1-mediated translation remain unclear. Here we show that LARP1 is a direct substrate of mTORC1 and Akt/S6K1. Deep sequencing of LARP1-bound mRNAs reveal that non-phosphorylated LARP1 interacts with both 5’ and 3’UTRs of RP mRNAs and inhibits their translation. Importantly, phosphorylation of LARP1 by mTORC1 and Akt/S6K1 dissociates it from 5’UTRs and relieves its inhibitory activity on RP mRNA translation. Concomitantly, phosphorylated LARP1 scaffolds mTORC1 on the 3’UTRs of translationally-competent RP mRNAs to facilitate mTORC1-dependent induction of translation initiation. Thus, in response to cellular mTOR activity, LARP1 serves as a phosphorylation-sensitive molecular switch for turning off or on RP mRNA translation and subsequent ribosome biogenesis.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Jun 26, 2017
Source ID
10.7554/elife.25237

Entities

People

  • Avani Kamath
  • John K. Kim
  • Ken Inoki
  • Mallory A Freeberg
  • Sungki Hong
  • Ting Han
  • Tomoko Fukuda
  • Tsukasa Suzuki
  • Yao Yao

Organizations

  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences
  • United States Department of Defense
  • University of Michigan

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

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