AbstracteIF3 in mammals is the largest translation initiation factor (~800 kDa) and is composed of 13 nonidentical subunits designated eIF3a-m. The role of mammalian eIF3 in assembly of the 48 S complex occurs through high affinity binding to eIF4G. Interactions of eIF4G with eIF4E, eIF4A, eIF3, poly(A)-binding protein, and Mnk1/2 have been mapped to discrete domains on eIF4G, and conversely, the eIF4G-binding sites on all but one of these ligands have been determined. The only eIF4G ligand for which this has not been determined is eIF3. In this study, we have sought to identify the mammalian eIF3 subunit(s) that directly interact(s) with eIF4G. Established procedures for detecting protein-protein interactions gave ambiguous results. However, binding of partially proteolyzed HeLa eIF3 to the eIF3-binding domain of human eIF4G-1, followed by high throughput analysis of mass spectrometric data with a novel peptide matching algorithm, identified a single subunit, eIF3e (p48/Int-6). In addition, recombinant FLAG-eIF3e specifically competed with HeLa eIF3 for binding to eIF4G in vitro. Adding FLAG-eIF3e to a cell-free translation system (i) inhibited protein synthesis, (ii) caused a shift of mRNA from heavy to light polysomes, (iii) inhibited capdependent translation more severely than translation dependent on the HCV or CSFV internal ribosome entry sites, which do not require eIF4G, and (iv) caused a dramatic loss of eIF4G and eIF2α from complexes sedimenting at ~40 S. These data suggest a specific, direct, and functional interaction of eIF3e with eIF4G during the process of cap-dependent translation initiation, although they do not rule out participation of other eIF3 subunits.Eukaryotic translation initiation involves numerous initiation factors (eIFs)2 that participate in recruitment of initiator tRNA and mRNA to the 40 S ribosomal subunit, recognition of the initiator AUG codon, and joining of the 40 S and 60 S ribosomal subunits, culminating in formation of the first peptide bond (1). The factors required for recruitment of mRNA include eIF3, eIF4A, eIF4B, eIF4E, eIF4G, eIF4H, and PABP. eIF4E and PABP bind the 5′ cap and 3′ poly(A) tract of mRNA, respectively, whereas eIF4A unwinds 5′-terminal secondary structure in an ATP-dependent process that also involves the RNA-binding proteins eIF4B and eIF4H. eIF4G forms specific complexes with eIF4E, eIF4A, and PABP, thereby linking the processes of cap recognition, poly(A) binding, and secondary structure melting. eIF4G in turn is recruited to the 40 S ribosomal subunit via binding to the multisubunit complex eIF3.* This work was supported by National Institutes of Health Grants GM20818 (to R. E. R.) and GM22135 (to J. W. B. H.).1 To whom correspondence should be addressed: Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Hwy., Shreveport, LA 71130-3932. Tel.: 318-675-5161; Fax: 318-675-5180; E-mail: rrhoad@lsuhsc.edu. NIH Public Access NIH-PA Author ManuscriptNIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript ...

A family of isolable, well-defined bis-indenyl zirconium sandwich complexes, (eta(5)-C(9)H(5)-1,3-R(2))(eta(9)-C(9)H(5)-1,3-R(2))Zr (R = silyl, alkyl), have been prepared by either alkane reductive elimination or alkali metal reduction of a suitable zirconium(IV) dihalide precursor. Crystallographic characterization of two of these derivatives, R = SiMe(2)CMe(3) and CHMe(2), reveals unprecedented eta(9) coordination of one of the indenyl ligands. Variable-temperature and EXSY NMR studies establish that the eta(5) and eta(9) rings are rapidly interconverting in solution. The sandwich complexes serve as effective sources of low-valent zirconium reacting rapidly with both olefins and alkynes at ambient temperature. In contrast to bis-cyclopentadienyl chemistry, the olefin adducts of the bis-indenyl zirconium sandwiches undergo preferential C-H activation to yield the corresponding allyl hydride compounds, although reaction with excess olefin proceeds through the eta(2)-olefin adduct, forming the corresponding zirconacyclopentane.

Reductive elimination of alkane from a silylated bis-indenyl zirconium isobutyl hydride affords a zirconium sandwich complex with an unusual eta6 indenyl ligand. Crystallographic characterization of its adduct with tetrahydrofuran has been achieved and reveals significant localization in the six-membered ring. Complexation of more potent ligands such as carbon monoxide and diphenylacetylene are effective in promoting haptotropic rearrangement of the eta6 indenyl ligand and provides familiar bent zirconocene derivatives. The zirconium sandwich compound also undergoes oxidative addition of carbon-hydrogen bonds of pyridyl ligands, resulting in a crystallographically characterized dimethylamino pyridyl hydride complex of zirconium.

Evaluation of the steric and electronic influence of a family of silyl-and alkyl-substituted indenyl ligands on zirconium and iron centers has been accomplished by a combination of X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, solution NMR dynamics, and electrochemical measurements. Three tetrasubstituted, bis-indenyl zirconocene dichloride complexes have been characterized by X-ray diffraction and adopt a gauche ligand conformation such that the interactions between tertiary substituents on adjacent rings are minimized. Similar solid state conformations were also observed in two of the corresponding iron compounds. Evaluation of the electronic environment about each zirconium center was achieved by measurement of the CO stretching frequencies of the dicarbonyl derivatives. Simple inductive effects govern the electronic properties of each zirconocene where silyl groups are relatively electron withdrawing and alkyl groups electron donating. For the most hindered zirconocene dicarbonyl derivatives, population of three vibrationally distinct rotamers has been detected by IR spectroscopy. Independent assessment of these stereoelectronic parameters by variabletemperature NMR spectroscopy and electrochemistry with the analogous series of iron complexes provided the same relative ordering of the indenyl ligands.