Protamine kinase phosphorylates eukaryotic protein synthesis initiation factor 4E.

Up to 1 mol of phosphoryl groups was incorporated per mol of eukaryotic protein synthesis initiation factor (eIF) 4E following incubation of purified preparations of this factor with purified preparations of a protamine kinase from bovine kidney cytosol. By contrast, purified preparations of two forms of mitogen-activated protein kinase, casein kinase II and two forms of a distinct autophosphorylation-activated protein kinase exhibited little activity, if any, with eIF-4E. Together with previous observations, the results indicate that the protamine kinase could contribute to the insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of eIF-4E.