REVIEW: Eukaryotic Type Translation Initiation Factor 2: Structure–Functional Aspects

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E. A. Stolboushkina^* and M. B. Garber

Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, Institutskaya ul. 4, 142290 Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russia; fax: (495) 514-0218; E-mail: esmail@vega.protres.ru

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received July 29, 2010

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Translation initiation factor 2 (IF2) is one of key components of the translation initiation system in living cells. In bacteria IF2 is a multidomain monomeric protein, while in eukaryotic and archaean cells e/aIF2 is heterotrimer (αβγ). Data, including our own, on eukaryotic type translation initiation factor 2 (e/aIF2) structure and functioning are presented. There are also new data on initiation factors eIF5 and eIF2B that directly interact with eIF2 and control its participation in nucleotide exchange.

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KEY WORDS: translation initiation, e/aIF2, heterotrimer, initiator methionyl-tRNA (Met-tRNA_i), Met-tRNA_i·e/aIF2·GTP triple complex

DOI: 10.1134/S0006297911030011

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