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Updated: Jun 13, 2025
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Eukaryotic Polyribosome Profile Analysis
Published on: June 15, 2010
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The gene YEF3 function encoding translation elongation factor eEF3 is partially conserved across fungi
Giovanna Maldonado1, Alejandra García1, Saturnino Herrero2
1Laboratory of mRNA and Cancer, Unit of Biomedical Research on Cancer, National Institute of Cancer (Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, INCan), Mexico City, Mexico.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|September 9, 2024
Summary
Functional conservation of eukaryotic translation elongation factor 3 (eEF3) varies across fungal species. While some fungal eEF3 proteins can substitute for yeast YEF3, others cannot, indicating functional divergence in translation elongation.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Mycology
Background:
- Translation elongation is a fundamental cellular process in eukaryotes.
- Eukaryotic translation elongation factors (eEF)1A and eEF2 drive translation elongation.
- Eukaryotic elongation factor (eEF)3, encoded by yeast elongation factor (YEF3), plays a critical role in translation elongation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the functional conservation of eEF3 across phylogenetically distant fungal species.
- To investigate the variability of the translation elongation process in Fungi.
- To explore eEF3 as a potential therapeutic target in pathogenic fungi.
Main Methods:
- An in vivo genetic approach was employed.
- Functional conservation of eEF3 was assessed by testing its ability to support the growth of S. cerevisiae lacking the endogenous YEF3 gene.
- The essentiality of eEF3 was determined in various fungal species.
Main Results:
- eEF3 from Zygosaccharomyces rouxii, Candida glabrata, Ustilago maydis, and Gonapodya prolifera supported the growth of S. cerevisiae lacking YEF3.
- eEF3 from Aspergillus nidulans did not support the growth of S. cerevisiae lacking YEF3.
- eEF3 was found to be an essential gene in the ascomycetes C. glabrata and A. nidulans.
Conclusions:
- Fungal eEF3 exhibits functional variability, indicating divergence in the translation elongation process beyond Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- eEF3 is essential in pathogenic fungi, presenting a potential target for antifungal therapies, such as combating candidiasis.
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