Cotranslational interaction of human EBP50 and ezrin overcomes masked binding site during complex assembly

Multiprotein assemblages are the intracellular workhorses of many physiological processes. Assembly of constituents into complexes can be driven by stochastic, domain-dependent, posttranslational events in which mature, folded proteins specifically interact. However, inaccessibility of interacting surfaces in mature proteins (e.g., due to buried domains) can obstruct complex formation. Mechanisms by which multiprotein complex constituents overcome topological impediments remain enigmatic. For example, the heterodimeric complex formed by EBP50 and ezrin must address this issue as the EBP50-interacting domain in ezrin is obstructed by a self-interaction that occupies the EBP50 binding site. Here, we show that the EBP50-ezrin complex is formed by a cotranslational mechanism in which the C terminus of mature, fully formed EBP50 binds the emerging, ribosome-bound N-terminal FERM domain of ezrin during EZR mRNA translation. Consistent with this observation, a C-terminal EBP50 peptide mimetic reduces the cotranslational interaction and abrogates EBP50-ezrin complex formation. Phosphorylation of EBP50 at Ser339 and Ser340 abrogates the cotranslational interaction and inhibits complex formation. In summary, we show that the function of eukaryotic mRNA translation extends beyond simple generation of a linear peptide chain that folds into a tertiary structure, potentially for subsequent complex assembly; importantly, translation can facilitate interactions with sterically inaccessible domains to form functional multiprotein complexes.

Automated summary

This study reveals that the EBP50-ezrin complex is formed through a cotranslational mechanism, where the C-terminus of mature EBP50 binds to the N-terminal FERM domain of ezrin during mRNA translation. Phosphorylation of EBP50 inhibits this interaction, preventing complex formation. This suggests that eukaryotic mRNA translation plays a role in facilitating complex assembly beyond simply generating linear peptide chains.