EIF2A Antibody – Mouse Monoclonal

This gene encodes a eukaryotic translation initiation factor that catalyzes the formation of puromycin-sensitive 80 S preinitiation complexes and the poly(U)-directed synthesis of polyphenylalanine at low concentrations of Mg2+. This gene should not be confused with eIF2-alpha (EIF2S1, Gene ID: 1965), the alpha subunit of the eIF2 translation initiation complex. Although both of these proteins function in binding initiator tRNA to the 40 S ribosomal subunit, the encoded protein does so in a codon-dependent manner, whereas eIF2 complex requires GTP. Alternative splicing of this gene results in multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2016]

EIF2A: Functions in the early steps of protein synthesis of a small number of specific mRNAs. Acts by directing the binding of methionyl-tRNAi to 40S ribosomal subunits. In contrast to the eIF- 2 complex, it binds methionyl-tRNAi to 40 S subunits in a codon- dependent manner, whereas the eIF-2 complex binds methionyl-tRNAi to 40 S subunits in a GTP-dependent manner. May act by impiging the expression of specific proteins. Belongs to the WD repeat EIF2A family. 2 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.

Protein type: Translation

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 3q25.1

Cellular Component: cell-cell adherens junction; cytoplasm; eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 complex; extracellular space

Molecular Function: mRNA binding; protein binding; ribosome binding; translation initiation factor activity; tRNA binding

Biological Process: regulation of translation; ribosome assembly