Special Biology Seminar

Regulation of protein synthesis is fundamental to all aspects of eukaryotic biology by controlling development, homeostasis, and stress responses. The 13-subunit, 800-kDa eukaryotic initiation factor 3 (eIF3) organizes initiation factor and ribosome interactions required for productive translation. However, our understanding of eIF3 function does not explain genetic evidence connecting eIF3 deregulation with tissue-specific cancers and developmental defects. I will present evidence that, in addition to its role in general translation initiation, eIF3 exerts control over a highly specific subset of mRNAs involved in cell growth control processes, including cell cycling, differentiation, and apoptosis. Our findings illuminate a striking parallel between the function of eIF3 in translation and the Mediator complex in transcription.