J. Biol. Chem., Vol. 261, Issue 14, 6234-6238, May, 1986
Structural requirements for porphyrin inhibition of the hemin- controlled protein kinase and maintenance of protein synthesis in reticulocytes
TS Hronis and JA Traugh
The role of hemin in the maintenance of protein synthesis in reticulocyte
lysates was examined by comparing the effects of various porphyrins and
metalloporphyrins on the protein kinase activity of the hemin-controlled
repressor and on protein synthesis. The porphyrin requirements for
maintenance of protein synthesis were relatively specific. Iron and cobalt
metalloporphyrins sustained protein synthesis whereas other
metalloporphyrins, metal-deficient porphyrins, and non- porphyrin precursor
and degradation products of protoporphyrin IX were ineffective. These same
compounds were examined for their effectiveness in inhibiting the protein
kinase activity of the hemin-controlled repressor with initiation factor 2
(eIF-2). Most of the metalloporphyrins and porphyrins tested were
inhibitory. The presence of the iron atom in the porphyrin was not
essential for inhibition, but the maintenance of the integrity of the
porphyrin ring was imperative. The porphyrins which inhibited the
hemin-regulated protein kinase contained vinyl groups or ethyl groups, or
were protonated in the 2- and 4-positions of the porphyrin ring, whereas
those with bulky or acidic groups in these positions were ineffective.
Precursor and degradation products of protoporphyrin IX and synthetic
porphyrins modified at other positions had no effect on the enzyme. Both
hemin and protoporphyrin IX inhibited phosphorylation of eIF-2 exogenously
added to a reticulocyte lysate; however, hemin sustained protein synthesis
in the lysate, whereas protoporphyrin IX did not. These results suggest
that regulation of the protein kinase phosphorylating the alpha subunit of
eIF-2 is not the only point at which hemin modulates protein synthesis in
reticulocytes and reticulocyte lysates, since a correlation between
inhibition of protein synthesis, inhibition of protein kinase activity, and
phosphorylation of eIF-2 is not observed with all porphyrins.