Disease relevance of EIF4E

• These results suggest the selective involvement of members of the eIF4E family in infection by potyviruses [1].
• In contrast, Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV), another member of the genus Potyvirus, multiplied in mutant plants lacking eIF4E but not in mutant plants lacking eIF(iso)4E [1].
• The cum1 and cum2 mutations of Arabidopsis thaliana inhibit cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) multiplication [2].

High impact information on EIF4E

• Molecular analysis showed that the mutations are caused by lesions in the gene encoding the large subunit of the nuclear mRNA cap-binding protein, ABH1 (ABA hypersensitive1) [3].
• In cum1 and cum2 protoplasts, CMV RNA and the coat protein accumulated to wild-type levels, but the accumulation of the 3a protein of CMV, which is necessary for cell-to-cell movement of the virus, was strongly reduced compared with that in wild-type protoplasts [2].
• Together with previous data showing that the VPg-eIF4E interaction is necessary for virus infectivity and upregulates genome amplification, this shows that the eIF4E proteins are specifically recruited for the replication cycle of potyviruses [4].
• Furthermore, polysome analysis shows that the mRNA encoding eIF4E was being translated at increased levels [4].
• In the present study, it was shown that not only did VPg bind eIF(iso)4E but it also interacted with the eIF4E isomer of A. thaliana as well as with eIF(iso)4E of Triticum aestivum (wheat) [5].

Biological context of EIF4E

• This work further demonstrates an association between a high level of EIF4E mRNAs and cell proliferation and suggests that the plant eIF4E isoforms may have distinct functions in cell development and metabolism [6].

Physical interactions of EIF4E

• A search for plant eIF4E-binding proteins from Arcabictopsis thaliana using the yeast genetic interaction system identified a clone encoding a lipoxygenase type 2 (AtLOX2) [7].

Other interactions of EIF4E

• ClYVV accumulated in both inoculated and upper uninoculated leaves of mutant plants lacking eIF(iso)4E, but not in mutant plants lacking eIF4E [1].

References