The role of eukaryotic initiation factor 5A in the control of cell proliferation and apoptosis

• Published in: Amino acids 2001-01, Vol.20 (2), p.91-104
• Main Authors: Caraglia, M, Marra, M, Giuberti, G, D'Alessandro, A M, Budillon, A, del Prete, S, Lentini, A, Beninati, S, Abbruzzese, A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Active Transport, Cell Nucleus; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents - chemistry; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Apoptosis; Apoptosis - physiology; Cell Division - physiology; Cell growth; Cell proliferation; Drug Design; Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 5A; Genetic transformation; Humans; Interferon; Lysine - analogs & derivatives; Lysine - metabolism; Peptide Initiation Factors - drug effects; Peptide Initiation Factors - physiology; Protein Biosynthesis; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; RNA-Binding Proteins; Transglutaminase 2; Translation initiation; α-Interferon
• ISSN: 0939-4451; 1438-2199
• DOI: 10.1007/s007260170050

In the past years, the attention of scientists has mainly focused on the study of the genetic information and alterations that regulate eukaryotic cell proliferation and that lead to neoplastic transformation. An increasing series of data are emerging about the involvement of the initiation phase of translational processes in the control of cell proliferation. In this paper we review the novel insights on the biochemical and molecular events leading to the initiation and its involvement in cell proliferation and tumourigenesis. We describe the structure, regulation and proposed functions of the eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF-5A) focusing the attention on its involvement in the regulation of apoptosis and cell proliferation. Moreover, we describe the modulation of its activity (through the reduction of hypusine synthesis) in apoptosis induced either by tissue transglutaminase or interferon a. Finally, we propose eIF-5A as an additional target of anti-cancer strategies.