Collybistin and gephyrin are novel components of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 complex.
BACKGROUND
Collybistin (CB), a neuron-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor, has been implicated in targeting gephyrin-GABAA receptors clusters to inhibitory postsynaptic sites. However, little is known about additional CB partners and functions.


RESULTS
Here, we identified the p40 subunit of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 (eIF3H) as a novel binding partner of CB, documenting the interaction in yeast, non-neuronal cell lines, and the brain. In addition, we demonstrated that gephyrin also interacts with eIF3H in non-neuronal cells and forms a complex with eIF3 in the brain.


CONCLUSIONS
Together, our results suggest, for the first time, that CB and gephyrin associate with the translation initiation machinery, and lend further support to the previous evidence that gephyrin may act as a regulator of synaptic protein synthesis.
Sertie
Andrea L
AL
Department of Genetics and Evolutive Biology, Institute of Bioscience, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. asertie@hotmail.com.
de Alencastro
Gustavo
G
De Paula
Vanessa J
VJ
Passos-Bueno
Maria Rita
MR