Abstract P028: Proteomic approaches define rocaglates as translation remodelers with multiple protein targets
Authors: Cunningham Tyler A. , Ho J. J. David , Manara Paola , Lee Stephen , Schatz Jonathan H. 
Published: December 2021

Intro: Deregulated protein synthesis is a common trait across solid and hematologic malignancies and an attractive target for cancer therapy. Rocaglates compounds that inhibit eukaryotic initiation factor 4A1 (eIF4A1), the essential DEAD-box RNA helicase that resolves mRNA 5’UTR secondary structures during cap-dependent translation initiation. Rocaglates’ unique mechanism of action causes sequence-selective mRNA binding by eIF4A1, clamping the inactive helicase onto the transcript. This suppresses translation globally and affects many oncogenic and pro-survival transcripts in particular. Zotatifin, the first-in class synthetic rocaglate, is currently in Phase I clinical trials for the treatment of solid tumors and as an antiviral against SARS-CoV2. Currently, eIF4A1 and DDX3 are the only reported targets of rocaglate-mediated RNA clamping. Employing unbiased proteomic approaches, we have discovered that rocaglates, thought to act as pure eIF4A/translation inhibitors, extensively remodel the translation machinery and translatome. Additionally, mass-spec interrogation for proteins interacting with specific RNA sequences reveals novel targets of rocaglate-mediated, sequence-specific RNA clamping. Methods: We conducted original mass-spectrometry analyses of translational reprogramming by rocaglates. TMT-pSILAC assessed acute changes in protein production, while MATRIX, which captures high-resolution profiles of the translation machinery, revealed translation factors that drive reprogramming in response to rocaglate exposure. We validated results biochemically, in cellulo, and in vivo using patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse models. To probe existing and novel rocaglate RNA-clamping targets, we developed unbiased “clampome” assays – in cellulo protein-RNA-pull downs followed by mass-spec analysis of proteins with increased binding to RNA in the presence of rocaglates. Results: We find rocaglates, including zotatifin, have effects far more complex than simple “translational inhibition” as currently defined. Indeed, translatome analysis by TMT-pSILAC revealed myriad up-regulated proteins that drive hitherto unrecognized cytotoxic mechanisms. The GEF-H1 guanine exchange factor, for example, drives anti-survival RHOA/JNK activation, suggesting novel candidate biomarkers of rocaglate clinical outcomes. Translation-machinery analysis by MATRIX identifed rocaglate-induced dependence on specific translation factors including eEF1ϵ1 that drive remodeling. Novel rocaglate RNA-binding targets revealed by clampome studies remain under detailed evaluation as mediators of drug activities. Discussion: Our original proteome-level interrogation revealed that the complete cellular response to these historical “translation inhibitors” is mediated by comprehensive translational landscape remodeling. Effects on a broader suite of RNA binding proteins than eIF4A1 alone we suggest mediate the potent antitumor activities of these unique compounds, elucidation of which permits development of novel precision approaches to targeted translational deregulation in cancer.

Citation Format: Tyler A. Cunningham, J. J. David Ho, Paola Manara, Stephen Lee, Jonathan H. Schatz. Proteomic approaches define rocaglates as translation remodelers with multiple protein targets [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC Virtual International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2021 Oct 7-10. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2021;20(12 Suppl):Abstract nr P028.