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. 1995 Aug 1;14(15):3820–3827. doi: 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1995.tb00051.x

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae translation initiation factor Tif3 and its mammalian homologue, eIF-4B, have RNA annealing activity.

M Altmann 1, B Wittmer 1, N Méthot 1, N Sonenberg 1, H Trachsel 1
PMCID: PMC394456  PMID: 7543843

Abstract

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae TIF3 gene encodes the yeast homologue of mammalian translation initiation factor eIF-4B. We have added six histidine residues to the C-terminus of Tif3 protein (Tif3-His6p) and purified the tagged protein by affinity chromatography. Tif3-His6p stimulates translation and mRNA binding to ribosomes in a Tif3-dependent in vitro system. Furthermore, it binds to single-stranded RNA and catalyses the annealing of partially complementary RNA strands in vitro. In parallel experiments, RNA annealing activity could also be demonstrated for mammalian eIF-4B. A role for Tif3/eIF-4B and RNA annealing activity in the scanning process is proposed.

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