Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells Exhibit Stage-Specific Translational Programs via mTOR- and CDK1-Dependent Mechanisms

Cell Stem Cell. 2020 May 7;26(5):755-765.e7. doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2019.12.006.

Abstract

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) require highly regulated rates of protein synthesis, but it is unclear if they or lineage-committed progenitors preferentially recruit transcripts to translating ribosomes. We utilized polysome profiling, RNA sequencing, and whole-proteomic approaches to examine the translatome in LSK (Lin-Sca-1+c-Kit+) and myeloid progenitor (MP; Lin-Sca-1-c-Kit+) cells. Our studies show that LSKs exhibit low global translation but high translational efficiencies (TEs) of mRNAs required for HSC maintenance. In contrast, MPs activate translation in an mTOR-independent manner due, at least in part, to proteasomal degradation of mTOR by the E3 ubiquitin ligase c-Cbl. In the near absence of mTOR, CDK1 activates eIF4E-dependent translation in MPs through phosphorylation of 4E-BP1. Aberrant activation of mTOR expression and signaling in c-Cbl-deficient MPs results in increased mature myeloid lineage output. Overall, our data demonstrate that hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) undergo translational reprogramming mediated by previously uncharacterized mechanisms of translational regulation.

Keywords: hematopoiesis; mTOR; myeloid progenitors; polysome; proteomics; ribosome; stem cells; transcriptome; translation; ubiquitination.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells
  • Proteomics*
  • Signal Transduction
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases

Substances

  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases