title: Participation of initiation factors in the recruitment of mRNA to ribosomes.
abstract: The step of protein synthesis which is normally rate limiting, formation of the 48S initiation complex, is catalyzed by the group 4 initiation factors. Collectively they recognize the 7-methylguanosine-containing cap of mRNA, unwind mRNA secondary structure, and allow scanning for the initiation codon by the small ribosomal subunit. The activities of the eIF-4 polypeptides are modulated by phosphorylation. Recent studies shed new light on the mechanism of assembly of the 48S initiation complex and the effect of phosphorylation of one of the eIF-4 polypeptides, the cap-binding protein eIF-4E.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Medical Center, Shreveport 71130.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Rhoads
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Minich
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D010448:Peptide Initiation Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010448:Peptide Initiation Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins