Translatome and Translation Machinery Remodeling by eIF4A Inhibitors Mediates Antitumor Potency.

Protein synthesis-targeting agents against eIF4A activity, including rocaglates, are actively pursued as anticancer and antiviral therapies. Yet, their full effect on the translational landscape is unknown, especially with regards to up-regulated proteins and drug-activated translation factors that mediate rocaglates’ remarkable anticancer potency. Here, we investigated rocaglate-driven global translational remodeling in cancer cells. Proteomic translatome analysis by TMT-pulse-SILAC revealed an extensive repertoire of rocaglate-inducible proteins that regulate hitherto unrecognized mechanisms of cytotoxicity. As proof-of-concept, we show that GEF-H1 induction activates anti-survival RHOA/JNK signaling. Intriguingly, rocaglate responses persist in eIF4A-depleted cells. Global MATRIX survey of translation machinery adaptations to rocaglates revealed augmented translational activities of the general translation factor eEF1ε1, and the DEAD-box RNA helicase DDX17, which drive rocaglate-specific protein induction and drug response. This original unbiased proteomic interrogation of rocaglate-driven translational reprogramming transforms the current definition of rocaglates as one-dimensional eIF4A inhibitors to comprehensive remodelers of the protein synthesis landscape.