The Saccharomyces cerevisiae homologue of mammalian translation initiation factor 6 does not function as a translation initiation factor?

Kausik Si, Umadas Maitra

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

89 Scopus citations

Abstract

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 6 (elF6) binds to the 60S ribosomal subunit and prevents its association with the 40S ribosomal subunit. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene that encodes the 245-amino-acid eIF6 (calculated M(r) 25,550), designated TIF6, has been cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified recombinant protein prevents association between 40S and 60S ribosomal subunits to form 80S ribosomes. TIF6 is a single-copy gene that maps on chromosome XVI and is essential for cell growth, eIF6 expressed in yeast cells associates with free 60S ribosomal subunits but not with 80S monosomes or polysomal ribosomes, indicating that it is not a ribosomal protein. Depletion of elF6 from yeast cells resulted in a decrease in the rate of protein synthesis, accumulation of half-mer polyribosomes, reduced levels of 60S ribosomal subunits resulting in the stoichiometric imbalance in the 40S/60S subunit ratio, and ultimately cessation of cell growth. Furthermore, lysates of yeast cells depleted of eIF6 remained active in translation of mRNAs in vitro. These results indicate that elF6 does not act as a true translation initiation factor. Rather, the protein may be involved in the biogenesis and/or stability of 60S ribosomal subunits.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1416-1426
Number of pages11
JournalMolecular and cellular biology
Volume19
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1999

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The Saccharomyces cerevisiae homologue of mammalian translation initiation factor 6 does not function as a translation initiation factor?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this