Initiation of eukaryotic protein synthesis

Abstract

The initiation of protein synthesis is defined as the sequence of events, which leads to an 80 S . MettRNA . mRNA complex. Several non-ribosomal proteins are required for the formation of this 80 S initiation complex and they are called eIF-1, -2, etc. (eukaryotic initiation factor). They are listed in table 1, with the effect they have on protein synthesis and on partial reactions thereof, as desiribed below. An initiation factor is defined as a protein which stimulates one or more of these, and only these reactions, and which is released after the completion of an 80 S initiation complex, in contrast with a ribosomal protein, which remains an integral part of the ribosome during all stages of protein synthesis. Dissociation of 80 S ribosomes is a prerequisite for the initiation of eukaryotic protein synthesis, since the initial binding of Met-tRNA occurs on a 40 S subunit and not on an 80 S ribosome. Spontaneous