# Initiation factor > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Initiation_factor > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Initiation_factor.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Initiation_factor > Source revision: 1323017111 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|Protein which binds to a ribosome during translation}} In [molecular biology](/source/molecular_biology), '''initiation factors''' are [protein](/source/protein)s that bind to the small subunit of the [ribosome](/source/ribosome) during the initiation of [translation](/source/Translation_(genetics)), a part of [protein biosynthesis](/source/protein_biosynthesis).{{Cite book| first1 = Michael M | last1 = Cox | first2 = Jennifer A | last2 = Doudna | first3 = Michael | last3 = O'Donnell | name-list-style = vanc |title=Molecular biology : principles and practice|date=2012|publisher=W.H. Freeman and Co |isbn=978-0-7167-7998-8 |location=New York, NY |oclc=814245170}} Initiation factors can interact with [repressor](/source/repressor)s to slow down or prevent translation. They have the ability to interact with [activators](/source/Activator_(genetics)) to help them start or increase the rate of translation. In [bacteria](/source/bacteria), they are simply called IFs (i.e.., IF1, IF2, & IF3) and in [eukaryote](/source/eukaryote)s they are known as eIFs (i.e.., [eIF1](/source/eIF1), [eIF2](/source/eIF2), [eIF3](/source/eIF3)). Translation initiation is sometimes described as three step process which initiation factors help to carry out. First, the [tRNA](/source/tRNA) carrying a [methionine](/source/methionine) amino acid binds to the small subunit of ribosome, then binds to the [mRNA](/source/mRNA), and finally joins together with the large subunit of ribosome. The initiation factors that help with this process each have different roles and structures.{{cite journal | vauthors = Sonenberg N, Dever TE | title = Eukaryotic translation initiation factors and regulators | journal = Current Opinion in Structural Biology | volume = 13 | issue = 1 | pages = 56–63 | date = February 2003 | pmid = 12581660 | doi = 10.1016/S0959-440X(03)00009-5 | url = https://escholarship.mcgill.ca/concern/articles/br86b842d | url-access = subscription }} == Types == The initiation factors are divided into three major groups by taxonomic [domain](/source/Domain_(biology))s. There are some homologies shared (click the domain names to see the domain-specific factors):{{cite journal | vauthors = Benelli D, Londei P | title = Translation initiation in Archaea: conserved and domain-specific features | journal = Biochemical Society Transactions | volume = 39 | issue = 1 | pages = 89–93 | date = January 2011 | pmid = 21265752 | doi = 10.1042/BST0390089 }} {| class="wikitable sortable" ! [InterPro](/source/InterPro) !! [Bacterial](/source/Prokaryotic_initiation_factors) !! [Archaeal](/source/Archaeal_initiation_factors) !! [Eukaryotic](/source/Eukaryotic_initiation_factors) !! Common function |- |{{InterPro|IPR006196|l=n}} || [IF-1](/source/Prokaryotic_initiation_factor-1) || aIF1A || [eIF1A](/source/eIF1A) || diverse across domains |- |{{InterPro|IPR015760|l=n}} || [IF-2](/source/Prokaryotic_initiation_factor-2) || aIF5B || [eIF5B](/source/eIF5B) || diverse across domains |- |{{InterPro|IPR001950|l=n}} ([SUI1](/source/SUI1)) || ''YciH''? || aIF1 || [eIF1](/source/eIF1) || mRNA binding, fidelity of start codon |- |{{InterPro|IPR001288|l=n}} || [IF-3](/source/Prokaryotic_initiation_factor-3) || {{sdash}}||{{sdash}} || fidelity of start codon{{cite journal | vauthors = Hussain T, Llácer JL, Wimberly BT, Kieft JS, Ramakrishnan V | title = Large-Scale Movements of IF3 and tRNA during Bacterial Translation Initiation | journal = Cell | volume = 167 | issue = 1 | pages = 133–144.e13 | date = September 2016 | pmid = 27662086 | pmc = 5037330 | doi = 10.1016/j.cell.2016.08.074 }} |- |{{InterPro|IPR001884|l=n}} || [EF-P](/source/Elongation_factor_P) || aIF5A || [eIF5A](/source/eIF5A) || an elongation factor{{cite journal | vauthors = Rossi D, Kuroshu R, Zanelli CF, Valentini SR | title = eIF5A and EF-P: two unique translation factors are now traveling the same road | journal = Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. RNA | volume = 5 | issue = 2 | pages = 209–22 | date = 2013 | pmid = 24402910 | doi = 10.1002/wrna.1211 | s2cid = 25447826 }} |- |(three subunits) || {{sdash}} || aIF2 || [eIF2](/source/eIF2) || binds tRNAiMet |- |{{InterPro|IPR002769|l=n}} || {{sdash}} || aIF6 || [eIF6](/source/eIF6) || keeps two ribosomal subunits disassociated by binding large subunit{{cite journal | vauthors = Brina D, Grosso S, Miluzio A, Biffo S | title = Translational control by 80S formation and 60S availability: the central role of eIF6, a rate limiting factor in cell cycle progression and tumorigenesis | journal = Cell Cycle | volume = 10 | issue = 20 | pages = 3441–6 | date = October 2011 | pmid = 22031223 | doi = 10.4161/cc.10.20.17796 | doi-access = free }} |} == Structure and function == Many structural domains have been conserved through evolution, as prokaryotic initiation factors share similar structures with eukaryotic factors. The prokaryotic initiation factor, IF3, assists with start site specificity, as well as mRNA binding. This is in comparison with the eukaryotic initiation factor, eIF1, who also performs these functions. The elF1 structure is similar to the C-terminal domain of IF3, as they each contain a five-stranded beta sheet against two alpha helices. The prokaryotic initiation factors IF1 and IF2 are also homologs of the [eukaryotic initiation factor](/source/eukaryotic_initiation_factor)s [eIF1A](/source/eIF1A) and [eIF5B](/source/eIF5B). IF1 and eIF1A, both containing an [OB-fold](/source/OB-fold), bind to the A site and assist in the assembly of initiation complexes at the [start codon](/source/start_codon). IF2 and eIF5B assist in the joining of the small and large ribosomal subunits. The eIF5B factor also contains elongation factors. Domain IV of eIF5B is closely related to the C-terminal domain of IF2, as they both consist of a beta-barrel. The elF5B also contains a GTP-binding domain, which can switch from an active GTP to an inactive GDP. This switch helps to regulate the affinity of the ribosome for the initiation factor. [[File:TranslationInitiationBacteria.png|thumb|The bacterial 30S initiation complex,{{cite journal|vauthors=Gualerzi CO, Pon CL|title=Initiation of mRNA translation in bacteria: structural and dynamic aspects|journal=Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences|date=2015 |volume=72|issue=22|pages=4341–4367|doi=10.1007/s00018-015-2010-3|doi-access=free|pmid=26259514|pmc=4611024}} also showing the [Shine-Dalgarno](/source/Shine-Dalgarno) sequence upstream of the start codon]] A eukaryotic initiation factor [eIF3](/source/eIF3) plays an important role in translational initiation. It has a complex structure, composed of 13 subunits. It helps to create the [43S pre-initiation complex](/source/43S_PIC), composed of the small 40S subunit attached to other initiation factors. It also helps to create the 48S pre-initiation complex, consisting of the 43S complex with the mRNA. The eIF3 factor can also be used post-translation in order to separate the ribosomal complex and keep the small and large subunits apart. The initiation factor interacts with the eIF1 and eIF5 factors used for scanning and selection of the start codons. This can create changes in the selection of the factors, binding to different codons.{{cite journal | vauthors = Dong Z, Zhang JT | title = Initiation factor eIF3 and regulation of mRNA translation, cell growth, and cancer | journal = Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology | volume = 59 | issue = 3 | pages = 169–80 | date = September 2006 | pmid = 16829125 | doi = 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2006.03.005 }} Another important eukaryotic initiation factor, [eIF2](/source/eIF2), binds the tRNA containing methionine to the P site of the small ribosome. The P site is where the tRNA carrying an amino acid forms a peptide bond with the incoming amino acids and carries the peptide chain. The factor consists of an alpha, beta, and gamma subunit. The eIF2 gamma subunit is characterized by a GTP-binding domain and beta-barrel folds. It binds to the tRNA through GTP. Once the initiation factor helps the tRNA bind, the GTP hydrolyzes and is released the eIF2. The eIF2 beta subunit is identified by its Zn-finger. The eIF2 alpha subunit is characterized by an OB-fold domain and two beta strands. This subunit helps to regulate translation, as it becomes phosphorylated to inhibit protein synthesis. The [eIF4F](/source/Eukaryotic_initiation_factor_4F) complex supports the cap-dependent translation initiation process and is composed of the initiation factors [eIF4A](/source/eIF4A), [eIF4E](/source/eIF4E), and [eIF4G](/source/eIF4G). The cap end of the mRNA, being the 5’ end, is brought to the complex where the [43S ribosomal complex](/source/43S_PIC) can bind and scan the mRNA for the start codon. During this process, the 60S ribosomal subunit binds and the large 80S ribosomal complex is formed. The eIF4G plays a role, as it interacts with the polyA-binding protein, attracting the mRNA. The eIF4E then binds the cap of the mRNA and the small ribosomal subunit binds to the eIF4G to begin the process of creating the 80S ribosomal complex. The eIF4A works to make this process more successful, as it is a DEAD box helicase. It allows for the unwinding of the untranslated regions of the mRNA to allow for ribosomal binding and scanning.{{cite journal | vauthors = Montero H, Pérez-Gil G, Sampieri CL | title = Eukaryotic initiation factor 4A (eIF4A) during viral infections | journal = Virus Genes | volume = 55 | issue = 3 | pages = 267–273 | date = June 2019 | pmid = 30796742 | pmc = 7088766 | doi = 10.1007/s11262-019-01641-7 }} == In cancer == thumb|330px|The formation of the eukaryotic initiation complex In cancerous cells, initiation factors assist in cellular transformation and development of tumors. The survival and growth of [cancer](/source/cancer) is directly related to the modification of initiation factors and is used as a target for pharmaceuticals. Cells need increased energy when cancerous and derive this energy from proteins. Over-expression of initiation factors correlates with cancers, as they increase protein synthesis for proteins needed in cancers. Some initiation factors, such as eIF4E, are important in synthesizing specific proteins needed for the proliferation and survival of cancer.{{cite journal | vauthors = de la Parra C, Walters BA, Geter P, Schneider RJ | title = Translation initiation factors and their relevance in cancer | journal = Current Opinion in Genetics & Development | volume = 48 | pages = 82–88 | date = February 2018 | pmid = 29153484 | doi = 10.1016/j.gde.2017.11.001 | pmc = 7269109 }} The careful selection of proteins ensures that proteins that are usually limited in translation and only proteins needed for cancer cell growth will be synthesized. This includes proteins involved in growth, malignancy, and angiogenesis. The eIF4E factor, along with eIF4A and eIF4G, also play a role in transitioning [benign](/source/Benign_tumor) cancer cells to [metastatic](/source/Metastasis). The largest initiation factor, [eIF3](/source/eIF3), is another significant initiation factor in human cancers. Due to its role in creating the [43S pre-initiation complex](/source/43S_PIC), it helps to bind the ribosomal subunit to the mRNA. The initiation factor has been linked to cancers through over-expression. For example, one of the thirteen eIF3 proteins, eIF3c, interacts with and represses proteins used in tumor suppression. Limited expression of certain eIF3 proteins, such as eIF3a an eIF3d, has been proven to decrease the vigorous growth of cancer cells. The over-expression of eIF3a has been linked to breast, lung, cervix, esophagus, stomach, and colon cancers. It is prevalent during early stages of oncogenesis and likely selectively translates proteins needed for cell proliferation. When eIF3a is suppressed, it has shown to decrease the malignancy of breast and lung cancer, most likely due to its role in tumor growth. == See also == *[Ribosome](/source/Ribosome) *[Eukaryotic translation](/source/Eukaryotic_translation) *[Eukaryotic initiation factor](/source/Eukaryotic_initiation_factor) == References == {{Reflist}} == External links == *{{MeshName|Initiation+Factor}} {{GeneticTranslation}} Category:Molecular biology Category:Protein biosynthesis Category:Gene expression --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Initiation factor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Initiation_factor) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Initiation_factor?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.