eIF3k, the smallest subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 3 (eIF3), interacts with several other subunits of eIF3 and the 40 S ribosomal subunit. eIF3k is conserved among high eukaryotes, including mammals, insects, and plants, and it is ubiquitously expressed in human tissues. Interestingly, eIF3k does not exist in some species of yeast. Thus, eIF3k may play a unique regulatory role in higher organisms.
translation initiator factor activity; protein binding; ribosome binding
Reference
Reference
Wei, Z., Zhang, P., Zhou, Z., Cheng, Z., Wan, M., Gong, W. (2004) Crystal structure of human eIF3k, the first structure of eIF3 subunits J.Biol.Chem. 279: 34983-34990