Background

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF3, that plays a central role in translation initiation, consists of five core subunits that are present in both the budding yeast and higher eukaryotes. The EIF-3 complex associates with the 40S ribosome and facilitates the recruitment of eIF-1, eIF-1A, eIF-2:GTP:methionyl-tRNAi and eIF-5 to form the 43S preinitiation complex. The complex stimulates mRNA recruitment to the 43S PIC and scanning of the mRNA for AUG recognition. It is also required for disassembly and recycling of post-termination ribosomal complexes and subsequently prevents premature joining of the 40S and 60S ribosomal subunits prior to initiation. EIF3H is a component of the EIF3 complex. [PMID:19204574,20503360]