Satellite cell expansion is mediated by P-eIF2α dependent Tacc3 translation

Abstract

Translational control of gene expression is an important regulator of adult stem cell quiescence, activation and self-renewal. In skeletal muscle, quiescent satellite cells maintain low levels of protein synthesis, mediated in part through the phosphorylation of eIF2α (P-eIF2α). Pharmacological inhibition of the eIF2α phosphatase with the small molecule sal003 maintains P-eIF2α and permits the expansion of satellite cells ex vivo. Paradoxically, P-eIF2α also increases the translation of specific mRNAs, which is mediated by P-eIF2α dependent readthrough of inhibitory upstream open reading frames (uORFs). Here, we ask whether P-eIF2α dependent mRNA translation enables expansion of satellite cells. Using transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, we show a number of genes associated with the assembly of the spindle pole to be upregulated at the level of protein, without corresponding change in mRNA levels, in satellite cells expanded in the presence of sal003. We show that uORFs in the 5'UTR of mRNA for the mitotic spindle stability gene Tacc3 direct P-eIF2α dependent translation. Satellite cells deficient for TACC3 exhibit defects in expansion, self-renewal and regeneration of skeletal muscle.