Unorthodox Mechanisms to Initiate Translation Open Novel Paths for Gene Expression. Issue 24 (4th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hernández, Greco; García, Alejandra; Sonenberg, Nahum; Lasko, Paul
• Is Part Of: Journal of molecular biology. Volume 432:Issue 24(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12-04
• Subjects: eIF4G -- eIF4E -- eIF3 -- mextli -- CERES -- 48S -- translation initiation -- translational control; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Bacteriology -- Periodicals; Molecular Biology -- Periodicals; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Biologie moléculaire -- Périodiques; Biologie -- Périodiques; Biochimie -- Périodiques; Moleculaire biologie; Biochemistry; Biology; Molecular biology; Periodicals; 572.805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.10.035
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-2836

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: At the core of translation initiation is the scaffold eIF4G. This mechanism has been a paradigm for the last three decades of research. Recent discoveries show translation with functional analogs of eIF4G or without it. The unorthodox translation initiation complexes pave novel paths for gene expression. Abstract: Translation in eukaryotes is dependent on the activity of translation initiation factor (eIF) 4G family of proteins, a scaffold protein that, during the initiation step, coordinates the activity of other eIFs to recruit the 40S ribosomal subunit to the mRNA. Three decades of research on protein synthesis and its regulation has provided a wealth of evidence supporting the crucial role of cap-dependent translation initiation, which involves eIF4G. However, the recent discovery of a surprising variety of alternative mechanisms to initiate translation in the absence of eIF4G has stirred the orthodox view of how protein synthesis is performed. These mechanisms involve novel interactions among known eIFs, or between known eIFs and other proteins not previously linked to translation. Thus, a new picture is emerging in which the unorthodox translation initiation complexes contribute to the diversity of mechanisms that regulate gene expression in eukaryotes.