EIF5A
Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 5A (eIF5A)
Description:
Eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF5A) is a highly conserved protein essential for the translation of messenger RNA (mRNA) into protein. It plays a crucial role in the initiation step of protein synthesis, specifically in the binding of methionyl-tRNA to the ribosome. eIF5A is a small protein of approximately 17 kDa and contains a unique N-terminal amino acid sequence, the hypusine residue, which is formed through a post-translational modification.
Associated Diseases:
Dysregulation of eIF5A has been implicated in several diseases, including:
- Huntington's disease: Mutations in eIF5A have been associated with the development of Huntington's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive movement impairments and cognitive decline.
- Cancer: Overexpression of eIF5A has been observed in various types of cancer, including lung, breast, and colon cancer. It promotes tumorigenesis by enhancing cell proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis.
- Viral infections: eIF5A is a target for viral infections. For example, the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encodes a protein that binds to eIF5A and inhibits its activity, leading to impaired translation of viral and host cell mRNAs.
Did you Know ?
- In humans, the eIF5A gene is located on chromosome 17q24.
