EIF4A2

EIF4A2, also known as eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A, 2, is a protein that plays a crucial role in the process of translation initiation in eukaryotes. It is a member of the DEAD-box family of RNA helicases, characterized by a conserved Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp (DEAD) motif in their amino acid sequence. EIF4A2 specifically functions as an ATP-dependent RNA helicase that unwinds the secondary structure of messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules. This unwinding activity is essential for facilitating the binding of the 43S pre-initiation complex, which includes the small ribosomal subunit, to the mRNA.

The activity of EIF4A2 is regulated and often works in conjunction with other translation initiation factors, such as EIF4G and EIF4B. These interactions help to recruit and position the mRNA for translation. EIF4A2 is involved in a variety of cellular processes that are dependent on protein synthesis, including cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. Dysregulation of EIF4A2 has been implicated in various diseases, including certain types of cancer, where altered translation rates can contribute to tumor development and progression. Research into EIF4A2's precise mechanisms and its role in disease is ongoing, with potential implications for therapeutic interventions targeting translation.