Pharmacological brake-release of mRNA translation enhances cognitive memory

• Published in: eLife Vol. 2; p. e00498
• Main Authors: Sidrauski, Carmela, Acosta-Alvear, Diego, Khoutorsky, Arkady, Vedantham, Punitha, Hearn, Brian R, Li, Han, Gamache, Karine, Gallagher, Ciara M, Ang, Kenny K-H, Wilson, Chris, Okreglak, Voytek, Ashkenazi, Avi, Hann, Byron, Nader, Karim, Arkin, Michelle R, Renslo, Adam R, Sonenberg, Nahum, Walter, Peter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England eLife Sciences Publications Ltd 28.05.2013; eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd
• Subjects: Acetamides - pharmacology; Animals; ATF4; Biochemistry; Cell Biology; Cell Line; Cognition; Cognitive ability; Cyclohexylamines - pharmacology; eIF2; eIF2B; Endoplasmic reticulum; Endoplasmic Reticulum - metabolism; Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-1 - antagonists & inhibitors; Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-1 - metabolism; Humans; Initiation factor eIF-2α; integrated stress response; Kinases; Memory; memory consolidation; Mice; mRNA; Neuroscience; Phosphorylation; Potassium; Protein Biosynthesis; Protein folding; Protein Kinase Inhibitors - pharmacology; RNA, Messenger - genetics; Serine; Spatial discrimination learning; Spatial memory; Transcription factors; Translation; unfolded protein response; United States > US; California; Human; unfolded protein response; eIF2B; Mouse; Rat; memory consolidation; ATF4; eIF2; integrated stress response
• ISSN: 2050-084X; 2050-084X
• DOI: 10.7554/eLife.00498

Phosphorylation of the α-subunit of initiation factor 2 (eIF2) controls protein synthesis by a conserved mechanism. In metazoa, distinct stress conditions activate different eIF2α kinases (PERK, PKR, GCN2, and HRI) that converge on phosphorylating a unique serine in eIF2α. This collection of signaling pathways is termed the ‘integrated stress response’ (ISR). eIF2α phosphorylation diminishes protein synthesis, while allowing preferential translation of some mRNAs. Starting with a cell-based screen for inhibitors of PERK signaling, we identified a small molecule, named ISRIB, that potently (IC50 = 5 nM) reverses the effects of eIF2α phosphorylation. ISRIB reduces the viability of cells subjected to PERK-activation by chronic endoplasmic reticulum stress. eIF2α phosphorylation is implicated in memory consolidation. Remarkably, ISRIB-treated mice display significant enhancement in spatial and fear-associated learning. Thus, memory consolidation is inherently limited by the ISR, and ISRIB releases this brake. As such, ISRIB promises to contribute to our understanding and treatment of cognitive disorders. The synthesis of proteins is an essential step in many biological processes, including memory, and drugs that inhibit protein synthesis are known to impair memory in rodents. It is thought that the brain needs these proteins to convert short-term memories into long-term memories through a process known as consolidation. A protein called EIF2α has a key role in the regulation of protein synthesis, and has also been implicated in memory. EIF2α can be activated as a result of being phosphorylated by any of four protein kinases: these are in turn activated by processes that subject cells to stress, such as viral infection, UV light or—in the case of a kinase known as PERK—the accumulation of unfolded proteins in a cellular organelle called the endoplasmic reticulum. Activation of EIF2α downregulates most protein synthesis inside the cell, but upregulates the production of a small number of key regulatory molecules: these changes help cells to cope with whatever stressful event they have just experienced. To obtain further insight into the cellular stress response, Sidrauski et al. screened a large library of compounds in search of one that inhibits PERK. They identified a molecule—known as ISRIB—which acts downstream of all four protein kinases by reversing the effects of EIF2α phosphorylation. ISRIB is the first molecule shown to have this effect, and thus represents an important tool for investigating the stress response inside cells. When Sidrauski et al. injected ISRIB into mice, the animals showed improved memory: for example, they learnt to locate a hidden platform in a water maze more rapidly than controls. This suggests that ISRIB could be used to explore the mechanisms that underlie memory consolidation, and possibly even as a memory enhancer. Moreover, given that many tumor cells exploit the cellular stress response to aid their own growth, ISRIB may have potential as a novel chemotherapeutic agent.