Regulation of translation initiation factors by signal transduction

Regulation of eukaryotic translation initiation is a process that requires collaboration between multiple proteins. The cap-binding factor eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF)4E, its binding protein 4E-BP1, and the guanine-nucleotide-exchange factor eIF2B play important roles in the regulation of the rate of protein synthesis. This review describes the regulation of the activity of these three proteins and the signal-transduction pathways involved therein.