Elongation factor 1 (EF-1)

Elongation factor 1 (EF-1) is a fundamental multi-protein complex in eukaryotes that mediates the enzymatic delivery of aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosome during the elongation phase of protein synthesis (UniProt P68104). The complex consists of two main functional units: the G-protein subunit EF-1 alpha (EEF1A), which binds GTP and tRNA, and the guanine nucleotide exchange factor complex EF-1 beta/gamma/delta (EEF1B) (NCBI Gene: 1915). Beyond its primary role in translation, EF-1 is involved in non-canonical functions such as actin cytoskeleton remodeling, nuclear protein export, and the regulation of apoptosis (PMID: 25510442). In various cancers, particularly multiple myeloma and certain solid tumors, the EEF1A2 isoform is frequently overexpressed and acts as an oncogene by promoting cell survival and inhibiting pro-apoptotic pathways (PMID: 15150593). Therapeutic targeting of EF-1 has been explored with compounds like plitidepsin (Aplidin), which binds to the alpha subunit to trigger oxidative stress and JNK-mediated apoptosis in malignant cells (PMID: 32544458).

Other names

EF1EEF1Elongation factor 1 complexEukaryotic translation elongation factor 1

Binding to the alpha subunit (EEF1A) of the elongation factor 1 complex to inhibit protein synthesis and induce apoptosis through JNK pathway activation.