eIF5A1

eIF5A1, also known as eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A1, is a protein that plays a crucial role in the initiation of protein synthesis in eukaryotic cells. It is a component of the 43S preinitiation complex, which is formed during the first step of translation. eIF5A1 is involved in the recruitment of the 40S ribosomal subunit to the mRNA, a process that is essential for the initiation of translation. It also interacts with other initiation factors, such as eIF4A and eIF4B, to facilitate the unwinding of the mRNA secondary structure and the recruitment of the 40S subunit. eIF5A1 is encoded by the EIF5A1 gene, which is located on chromosome 19 in humans. Mutations in the EIF5A1 gene have been associated with various diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. The protein is highly conserved across different eukaryotic species, indicating its importance in fundamental cellular processes.