The role of protein synthesis in cell cycling and cancer

Abstract 

Cell cycling and protein synthesis are both key physiological tasks for cancer cells. Here we present a model for how the elongation phase of protein synthesis, governed by elongation factor 2 and elongation factor 2 kinase, both modulates and responds to cell cycling. Within this framework we also discuss survivin, a protein with both pro-mitotic and anti-apoptotic roles whose persistence in the cell is tied to protein synthesis due to its short half-life. Finally, we provide a brief overview of efforts of cancer researchers to target EF2 and EF2 kinase.

Keywords: Cell cycle, Elongation factor 2, Elongation factor 2 kinase, Apoptosis, Cancer

Abbreviations: AMPK, AMP-activated Kinase, cAMP, cyclic AMP, PKA, Protein Kinase A, FLIP, FLICE-Like Inhibitor Protein, XIAP, X-linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis, EF2, Elongation Factor 2, cdc2/CDK1, Cell Division Cycle 2, MKK, MAP kinase kinase, MTOR, Mammalian Target of Rapamycin, ERK, Extracellular signal Regulated Kinase, Hsp90, Heat Shock Protein 90