EIF5B

Accurate initiation of translation in eukaryotes is complex and requires many factors, some of which are composed of multiple subunits. The process is simpler in prokaryotes which have only three initiation factors (IF1, IF2, IF3). Two of these factors are conserved in eukaryotes: the homolog of IF1 is eIF1A and the homolog of IF2 is eIF5B. This gene encodes eIF5B. Factors eIF1A and eIF5B interact on the ribosome along with other initiation factors and GTP to position the initiation methionine tRNA on the start codon of the mRNA so that translation initiates accurately. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

Full Name

Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 5B

Research Area

Plays a role in translation initiation. Translational GTPase that catalyzes the joining of the 40S and 60S subunits to form the 80S initiation complex with the initiator methionine-tRNA in the P-site base paired to the start codon. GTP binding and hydrolysis induces conformational changes in the enzyme that renders it active for productive interactions with the ribosome. The release of the enzyme after formation of the initiation complex is a prerequisite to form elongation-competent ribosomes.

Biological Process

Regulation of translational initiation Source: UniProtKB

Cellular Location

Cytoplasm

PTM

(Microbial infection) Cleaved and inactivated by the protease 3C of poliovirus, Coxsackievirus B3 and Human rhinovirus 14, allowing the virus to shutoff the host cell translation.