Timberlake was named "quadruple threat of the year" by MTV

The star, who picked up prizes at this year's Grammys, Brits and MTV awards, is up for best R&B album, best pop album and male pop artist of the year.

Other acts with three nominations are Beyonce, Linkin Park and Daughtry.

Fellow nominees Rihanna and Fergie will perform at the ceremony in Los Angeles on 18 November.

Timberlake goes up against his producer Timbaland and hip-hop star Akon in the male pop artist category.

Beyonce leads the nominations in the female pop artist and R&B album of the year, for B'Day.

The former Destiny's Child singer is also up for best female R&B singer, facing competition from Rihanna and former American Idol contestant Fantasia Barrino.

Public vote

Other American Idol graduates on the shortlist include Carrie Underwood, who picks up two nominations in the country section, and Chis Daughtry - whose band, Daughtry, are in the running for three awards.

Rockers Linkin Park compete in the best pop album, best pop group and alternative rock categories.

Nominees were initially chosen based on record sales. Ballots were then sent to 15,000 people to select the top three acts in each category.

For the first time, members of the public will be able to vote for nominated artists online. Winners were previously selected by a US survey of 20,000 people.

Last year, hip-hop quartet Black Eyed Peas went home with three trophies, while the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kelly Clarkson, Mary J Blige and Rascal Flatts took two awards each.

Mariah Carey, who was nominated for three awards in 2006, missed out completely this year.