The Mechanism of Eukaryotic Translation Initiation: New Insights and Challenges
- 1Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Development, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
- 2Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
- Correspondence: ahinnebusch{at}nih.gov; jlorsch{at}jhmi.edu
Abstract
Translation initiation in eukaryotes is a highly regulated and complex stage of gene expression. It requires the action of at least 12 initiation factors, many of which are known to be the targets of regulatory pathways. Here we review our current understanding of the molecular mechanics of eukaryotic translation initiation, focusing on recent breakthroughs from in vitro and in vivo studies. We also identify important unanswered questions that will require new ideas and techniques to solve.
- Copyright © 2012 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; all rights reserved
