Internal ribosome entry segment-mediated initiation of c-Myc protein synthesis following genotoxic stress.
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ABSTRACT: Initiation of translation of the proto-oncogene c-myc can occur by either the cap-dependent scanning mechanism or by internal ribosome entry. The latter mechanism requires a complex RNA structural element that is located in the 5' untranslated region of c-myc, termed an internal ribosome entry segment (IRES). Recent work has shown that IRESs are used to maintain protein expression under conditions when cap-dependent translation initiation is compromised; for example, during mitosis, apoptosis and under conditions of cell stress, such as hypoxia or heat shock. Induction of genotoxic stress also results in a large reduction in global protein synthesis rates and therefore we investigated whether the c-myc IRES was active following DNA damage. As expected, in cells treated with either ethylmethane sulphonate or mitomycin C there was a large reduction in protein synthesis, although this was brought about by two different mechanisms. However, in each case the c-myc IRES was active and c-Myc protein expression was maintained. Finally we showed that the proteins required for this process are downstream of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular-signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK)/MEK(MAPK/ERK kinase) signalling pathways, since pre-treatment of cells with inhibitors of these pathways before DNA damage is initiated inhibits both c-myc IRES activity and expression of c-Myc protein.
SUBMITTER: Subkhankulova T
PROVIDER: S-EPMC1222134 | biostudies-other | 2001 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other
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