Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 4A (eIF4A)

Eukaryotic initiation factor 4A (eIF4A) is a family of highly conserved RNA helicases essential for the initiation phase of eukaryotic translation. The eIF4A family in humans consists of three closely related proteins: EIF4A1, EIF4A2, and EIF4A3. These proteins are required for the binding of mRNA to the 40S ribosomal subunit and function primarily by unwinding double-stranded regions within mRNA molecules. eIF4A acts as an ATP-dependent RNA helicase that unwinds secondary structures in the 5′-untranslated region (UTR) of mRNAs, facilitating ribosome scanning to locate the start codon during translation initiation. It is a core component of the eIF4F complex, which also includes eIF4E (the cap-binding protein) and eIF4G (a scaffolding protein). Because it regulates gene expression at translational level—especially under stress or disease conditions—eIF4A has become a target for therapeutic intervention in cancer and viral infections where aberrant protein synthesis occurs.

Other names

EIF4A1EIF4A2EIF4A3

Inhibition of RNA helicase activity