Affinage

EIF1

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 1 · UniProt P41567

Length
113 aa
Mass
12.7 kDa
Annotated
2026-06-09
54 papers in source corpus 29 papers cited in narrative 29 extracted findings
Cross-family judge vs UniProt: Affinage preferred faithfulness: 6/6 claims corpus-supported (100%)

Mechanistic narrative

Synthesis pass · prose summary of the discoveries below

EIF1 (SUI1) is a universally conserved small translation initiation factor that enforces the fidelity of start-codon selection during ribosomal scanning (PMID:2179049, PMID:17504939). It assembles into a multifactor complex with eIF2, eIF3, eIF5, and initiator Met-tRNAi, where the N-terminal domain of eIF3c (NIP1) binds eIF1 and eIF5 concurrently to coordinate their action and stimulate ternary complex recruitment to the 40S subunit (PMID:11018020, PMID:8628297, PMID:15485912). On the 40S subunit, eIF1 contacts 18S rRNA via β-hairpin loop-1 and helix α1 residues and stabilizes the open, scanning-competent conformation of the preinitiation complex, while its β-hairpin Loop 2 sterically clashes with the Met-tRNAi D loop to block tRNAi accommodation in the PIN state at non-AUG and poor-context codons (PMID:23893413, PMID:29666249). Recognition of an AUG codon drives eIF1 dissociation from the PIC—a critical gating step that permits irreversible Pi release from eIF2 and the open-to-closed conformational switch; eIF5 and eIF2β promote accuracy by controlling this dissociation, eIF1A modulates its rate, and the eIF5 N-terminal domain then occupies the site vacated by eIF1 to stabilize the codon:anticodon duplex (PMID:17504939, PMID:19751744, PMID:22813744, PMID:23293029, PMID:24335188, PMID:30475211). Because eIF1 concentration sets the genome-wide stringency of initiation, eIF1 autoregulates its own synthesis through a poor-context AUG, and its loss broadly de-represses translation at upstream near-cognate and poor-context start codons (PMID:20921384, PMID:31915290). Beyond the core scanning machinery, eIF1 cooperates with eIF4G1 in a complex mutually exclusive with eIF4E to govern leaky scanning and specialized initiation modes including TISU-AUG translation under energy stress (PMID:25738462, PMID:29987188), and a nuclear pool released at mitotic nuclear-envelope breakdown raises start-codon stringency to control isoform output and mitotic cell fate (PMID:39443796).

Mechanistic history

Synthesis pass · year-by-year structured walk · 17 steps
  1. 1990 High

    Established eIF1 as a genetic determinant of AUG start-codon recognition, answering whether a dedicated factor enforces initiation-codon identity.

    Evidence Yeast SUI1 suppressor genetics restoring initiation at non-AUG codons at the HIS4 locus

    PMID:2179049

    Open questions at the time
    • Molecular mechanism of codon discrimination undefined
    • No biochemical or structural basis for the genetic phenotype
  2. 1996 High

    Linked eIF1 physically and functionally to the eIF3 complex, defining how it is recruited to the initiation machinery.

    Evidence Reciprocal co-IP of SUI1 with eIF3 subunits plus methionyl-puromycin synthesis assay in a sui1(ts) strain

    PMID:8628297

    Open questions at the time
    • Stoichiometry and direct vs indirect contacts not resolved
    • Did not identify which eIF3 subunit binds eIF1
  3. 1999 High

    Provided the eIF1 fold and its direct eIF3 binding partner, and showed stress-responsive, conserved expression of the human ortholog.

    Evidence NMR solution structure with GST pull-down to eIF3 p110; human A121/SUI1 yeast complementation and stress-induction Northern blots

    PMID:10228174 PMID:10347211

    Open questions at the time
    • No structure of eIF1 bound to the 40S subunit
    • Functional consequence of stress induction on the translatome unmeasured
  4. 2000 High

    Defined the multifactor complex architecture, showing eIF5/NIP1 bridges eIF1 to eIF2 and eIF3 prior to ribosome loading.

    Evidence Reciprocal in vitro binding assays and yeast genetics of eIF5 motif mutants in ribosome-free extracts

    PMID:11018020

    Open questions at the time
    • Spatial arrangement on the 40S not yet established
    • Order of assembly events unresolved
  5. 2003 Medium

    Connected eIF1 to the cap-binding/scanning apparatus via eIF4G, implicating it in PIC integrity beyond the MFC core.

    Evidence In vitro pull-down of eIF4G HEAT domain with eIF1 plus UUG-initiation genetics

    PMID:12861028

    Open questions at the time
    • Single-lab biochemistry
    • Functional separation of eIF4G–eIF1 from eIF4G–eIF5 binding incomplete
  6. 2004 High

    Showed the eIF3c/NIP1 N-terminal domain coordinates eIF1–eIF5 to suppress GTP hydrolysis at non-AUG codons.

    Evidence NIP1-NTD binding mutants with Sui- genetics and eIF1-overexpression suppression in yeast

    PMID:15485912

    Open questions at the time
    • Direct effect on hydrolysis kinetics not measured in this study
    • Conformational coupling to tRNAi unaddressed
  7. 2007 High

    Established that eIF1 dissociation from the PIC is the rate-limiting gate for Pi release and start-codon fidelity, and mapped its eIF5-binding interfaces.

    Evidence Reconstituted PIC kinetics of Sui-/Ssu- mutants plus NMR-guided mapping of N-tail and KH eIF5 interfaces

    PMID:17504939 PMID:17974565

    Open questions at the time
    • Conformational vs dissociation contributions not fully separated
    • Precise structural location of eIF1 on the PIC unknown
  8. 2009 High

    Resolved that eIF1 controls two distinct steps—Pi-release gating and the open-to-closed PIC transition—and that eIF5 competes for its binding site.

    Evidence Reconstituted PIC kinetics of G107 mutants plus eIF1/eIF5 binding competition

    PMID:19751744

    Open questions at the time
    • Atomic basis of the competition not visualized
    • Coupling to tRNAi accommodation inferred indirectly
  9. 2012 High

    Defined how the eIF5 C-terminal domain triggers eIF1 displacement by engaging eIF2β, mechanistically linking eIF5 to the conformational switch.

    Evidence NMR surface mapping of eIF5-CTD interfaces with eIF1 and eIF2β plus PIC assembly assays

    PMID:22813744

    Open questions at the time
    • Temporal sequence relative to eIF1A movement unresolved at this stage
  10. 2013 High

    Connected eIF1 release to specific 18S rRNA contacts, eIF1A-CTT repositioning, and PIN-state tRNAi accommodation, unifying the gating mechanism.

    Evidence Structure-guided mutagenesis of eIF1–18S contacts, FRET kinetics of eIF1A-CTT movement, and 40S off-rate measurements of Ssu- variants in reconstituted PICs

    PMID:23293029 PMID:23893413 PMID:24335188

    Open questions at the time
    • High-resolution structure of the closed transition state still lacking
    • How AUG base-pairing energy is transmitted to eIF1 not fully defined
  11. 2014 High

    Placed eIF1 on the 40S·eIF3 complex within a clamp-like eIF3 architecture, giving a structural framework for factor positioning.

    Evidence X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, cross-linking/MS and integrative modeling of the yeast eIF3 core on 40S

    PMID:25171412

    Open questions at the time
    • Resolution insufficient for atomic eIF1–rRNA contacts
    • tRNAi and eIF2 not resolved in this assembly
  12. 2015 High

    Provided a cryo-EM map of the 40S·eIF1·eIF1A·eIF3·eIF3j complex and revealed an eIF3j–eIF1A contact, and showed eIF1's dual control over TISU vs non-TISU initiation via eIF4GI.

    Evidence Cryo-EM of a yeast initiation complex; in vitro 48S reconstitution, eIF4GI–eIF1 co-IP and reporter assays in AMPK-KO cells

    PMID:25664723 PMID:25738462

    Open questions at the time
    • Mechanism coupling eIF4GI–eIF1 to TISU specificity incompletely defined
    • Mitochondrial gene relevance based on cellular reporters
  13. 2018 High

    Defined the structural endpoint of eIF1 departure (eIF5-NTD occupying its site), the steric basis of PIN-state discrimination via Loop 2, and the eIF4G1 partner-switch controlling scanning.

    Evidence 3.0 Å cryo-EM of 48S PIC with eIF5 mutagenesis; Loop 2 mutagenesis with 48S reconstitution; eIF1/eIF4E mutually exclusive eIF4G1 complexes by co-IP

    PMID:29666249 PMID:29987188 PMID:30475211

    Open questions at the time
    • eIF4G1 partner-switch model is single-lab and partly inferred
    • In vivo dynamics of the switch during scanning not directly observed
  14. 2020 High

    Demonstrated genome-wide that eIF1 level/binding sets translatome-wide discrimination against suboptimal start codons, including mitochondrial isoform ratios.

    Evidence Ribosome profiling of the eIF1-L96P weakened-binding yeast variant

    PMID:31915290

    Open questions at the time
    • Mammalian translatome consequences extrapolated from yeast
    • Codon-context determinants of sensitivity not exhaustively mapped
  15. 2022 Medium

    Showed the eIF4G1–eIF1 interaction is a druggable node regulated by ER stress and mTOR that shapes near-cognate uORF translation independently of eIF2α phosphorylation.

    Evidence Small-molecule inhibitors of eIF4G1–eIF1, in vitro translation, translatome profiling and reporter assays in cells

    PMID:35857873

    Open questions at the time
    • Single-lab pharmacology
    • Direct binding site of inhibitors on eIF4G1 vs eIF1 contributions not crystallographically defined
  16. 2024 High

    Revealed a nuclear eIF1 pool that, upon mitotic nuclear-envelope breakdown, raises start-codon stringency and governs isoform output and mitotic cell fate; and that eIF1/eIF1A suppress upstream CUG usage exploited during SARS-CoV-2 infection.

    Evidence Initiation-site profiling with nuclear-pool-specific eIF1 depletion and viability assays; ribosome profiling with EIF1/EIF1A knockdown and start-codon mutagenesis in infection

    PMID:38335237 PMID:39443796

    Open questions at the time
    • Mechanism of nuclear sequestration and release not molecularly defined
    • Generality of CUG suppression beyond viral mRNAs untested
  17. 2024 Medium

    Single-molecule reconstitution captured eIF1 loading, rapid start-site-dependent departure, and repeated sampling, refining the kinetic model of its gating role.

    Evidence Single-molecule TIRF of reconstituted human initiation with cell-based validation (preprint)

    PMID:39026837

    Open questions at the time
    • Preprint, single lab
    • Repeated-sampling behavior awaits independent confirmation

Open questions

Synthesis pass · forward-looking unresolved questions
  • How the nuclear eIF1 pool is established, retained, and released, and how the eIF1-binding region of disordered eIF3c folds upon engaging eIF1, remain unresolved.
  • No molecular mechanism for nuclear eIF1 sequestration
  • eIF3c eIF1-binding surface characterized only as disordered backbone assignments (preprint), without bound-state structure

Mechanism profile

Synthesis pass · controlled-vocabulary classification · explore literature graph →
Molecular activity
GO:0045182 translation regulator activity 4 GO:0098772 molecular function regulator activity 3 GO:0003723 RNA binding 2
Localization
GO:0005840 ribosome 4 GO:0005634 nucleus 1 GO:0005829 cytosol 1
Complex memberships
40S·eIF1·eIF1A·eIF3·eIF3j complex43S/48S preinitiation complexmultifactor complex (eIF1·eIF2·eIF3·eIF5·Met-tRNAi)

Evidence

Reading pass · 29 per-paper findings extracted from the source corpus
Year Finding Method Journal Conf PMIDs
1999 NMR solution structure of human eIF1 determined: residues 29–113 form a tightly packed domain with two α-helices flanking a five-stranded mixed β-sheet, with a fold similar to ribosomal proteins and RNA-binding domains. GST pull-down showed eIF1 binds specifically to the p110 subunit of eIF3, explaining eIF1 recruitment to the 40S subunit. No interaction with eIF5 or an initiation-site RNA was detected by NMR. NMR spectroscopy (structure determination); GST pull-down (binding partner identification) The EMBO journal High 10228174
2000 eIF1 participates in a multifactor complex (MFC) with eIF2, eIF3, eIF5, and initiator Met-tRNAi in yeast cell extracts free of 40S ribosomes. eIF5 bridges eIF3 (via NIP1 N-terminus) and eIF2β simultaneously; the NIP1 N-terminus binds both eIF5 and eIF1 concurrently. The MFC is disrupted by the tif5-7A mutation in eIF5's bipartite motif, which also causes temperature-sensitive growth and reduced translation initiation. In vitro binding assays (pull-down); yeast genetic analysis; co-immunoprecipitation from cell extracts Genes & development High 11018020
1996 Yeast SUI1 (eIF1) is identical to the p16 subunit of eIF3: anti-SUI1 antisera immunoprecipitate all eIF3 subunits, and anti-eIF3 antisera immunoprecipitate SUI1. eIF3 isolated from a sui1(ts) strain at 37°C lacks SUI1 and fails eIF3 activity in a methionyl-puromycin synthesis assay, demonstrating SUI1 is required for eIF3 activity. Co-immunoprecipitation; SDS-PAGE; in vitro methionyl-puromycin synthesis assay; temperature-sensitive genetic analysis Molecular and cellular biology High 8628297
1990 Genetic characterization in S. cerevisiae established that SUI1 (eIF1) mutations (recessive, temperature-sensitive) suppress loss of the HIS4 AUG start codon, restoring translation initiation at non-AUG codons, placing SUI1 as a component of the translation initiation complex required for AUG start codon recognition. Yeast genetic reversion analysis; complementation tests; suppressor mapping Genetics High 2179049
1998 The yeast mof2-1 allele is a novel allele of SUI1 (eIF1). Strains with mof2-1 show increased programmed −1 ribosomal frameshifting and mutant start-site selection. Purified wild-type Mof2p/Sui1p added back to mof2-1 extracts reduced frameshifting to wild-type levels. Human SUI1 expressed in yeast corrects all mof2-1 phenotypes, demonstrating functional conservation and a role for eIF1 in translational accuracy during elongation as well as initiation. Yeast genetics; in vitro frameshifting assay with purified protein add-back; cross-species complementation Molecular and cellular biology High 9488467
2004 The N-terminal domain (NTD) of NIP1/eIF3c directly binds eIF1 and eIF5. Mutations in NIP1-NTD segments reduce eIF1 or eIF5 binding, and a C-terminal NIP1-NTD mutation increases UUG start codon use (Sui− phenotype), which is suppressed by eIF1 overexpression. The NIP1-NTD coordinates eIF1–eIF5 interaction to inhibit GTP hydrolysis at non-AUG codons, and MFC formation stimulates TC recruitment to 40S ribosomes. In vitro pull-down assays; yeast genetic analysis (Sui−/Gcd− phenotypes); overexpression suppression studies Molecular and cellular biology High 15485912
2007 Sui− mutations in eIF1 reduce its interaction with 40S subunits in vitro and in vivo. The Sui− mutation 93-97 accelerates eIF1 dissociation from reconstituted preinitiation complexes (PICs) and accelerates Pi release from eIF2, while a hyperaccuracy eIF1A mutation slows eIF1 dissociation. eIF1 dissociation is therefore a critical gating step for start codon selection, modulated by eIF1A. Additional Gcd− eIF1 mutations impair TC loading on 40S subunits or destabilize the MFC. Reconstituted PIC assembly (in vitro); kinetic measurement of eIF1 dissociation and Pi release; yeast genetics; in vivo 40S binding assays Genes & development High 17504939
2007 eIF1 carries two distinct eIF5-binding interfaces: (1) the unstructured N-terminal tail (stimulates cooperative MFC assembly) and (2) a basic/hydrophobic surface area termed KH (includes hydrophobic residues critical for linking eIF1 to the PIC prior to AUG recognition). Mutation of KH is lethal and shows dominant relaxed start codon selection, placing eIF5 as a direct binding partner at the decoding site. NMR-based binding mapping; yeast two-hybrid and pull-down; genetic analysis of KH mutants The Journal of biological chemistry High 17974565
2009 eIF1 controls at least two steps in start codon recognition: (1) gating Pi release from eIF2, and (2) triggering the transition from an open, scanning-competent PIC conformation to a stable, closed one upon AUG recognition. eIF1 G107 mutations confer Sui− phenotypes without increasing eIF1 release rate, indicating a role in conformational gating distinct from dissociation. eIF5 antagonizes eIF1 binding to the PIC by competing for a key site. Reconstituted PIC assays; kinetic measurements; yeast genetic analysis; eIF1/eIF5 binding competition experiments Journal of molecular biology High 19751744
2010 Human eIF1 protein translation initiates from an AUG in poor Kozak context, enabling a negative autoregulatory feedback loop: high eIF1 levels increase stringency of start codon selection and thereby suppress translation of its own mRNA. This establishes that eIF1 concentration directly controls the stringency of initiation codon recognition genome-wide. Reporter assays; eIF1 overexpression experiments; mutagenesis of the eIF1 5′-UTR AUG context in human cells Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America High 20921384
2012 The C-terminal domain of eIF5 (eIF5-CTD) interacts with eIF1 and eIF2β at partially overlapping surfaces, identified by NMR. eIF5-CTD mutations disrupting these interfaces impair start codon recognition and impede eIF1 release from the PIC, showing that eIF5-CTD binding to eIF2β is required for eIF1 displacement and the open-to-closed PIC switch. NMR spectroscopy (binding surface mapping); site-directed mutagenesis; genetic and biochemical PIC assembly assays Cell reports High 22813744
2013 The C-terminal tail (CTT) of eIF1A moves closer to eIF5-NTD upon AUG recognition, and this movement is coupled to eIF1 dissociation from the PIC. eIF1 dissociation must be accompanied by eIF1A-CTT movement toward eIF5 to trigger Pi release from eIF2. The same event (tRNAi accommodation in the P site driven by start-codon base pairing) triggers both eIF1 dissociation and eIF1A-CTT repositioning. The C-terminal domain of eIF5 antagonizes eIF1 binding. FRET-based kinetic assays in reconstituted PICs; mutant biochemical analysis The Journal of biological chemistry High 23293029
2013 eIF1 β-hairpin loop-1 residues (Arg-33, Lys-37) and helix α1 Lys-60 directly contact 18S rRNA in the 40S·eIF1 complex. Substituting these residues impairs eIF1 binding to 40S·eIF1A complexes in vitro and increases UUG initiation (Sui− phenotype) in vivo, suppressible by eIF1 overexpression or an eIF1A mutation that impedes eIF1 dissociation. The unstructured N-terminal tail of eIF1 also blocks the PIC from rearranging to the closed conformation at non-AUG codons. Crystal structure-guided mutagenesis; in vitro 40S binding assays; yeast genetic analysis (Sui−/Gcd− phenotypes); suppression analysis The Journal of biological chemistry High 23893413
2013 Ssu− (suppressor of Sui−) mutations in eIF1 increase eIF1 affinity for 40S subunits in vitro. The strongest-binding variant (D61G) reduces the eIF1 off-rate and destabilizes PIN-state TC binding in reconstituted PICs, establishing that eIF1 dissociation from the 40S subunit is mechanistically required for Met-tRNAi accommodation in the PIN state and that eIF5 and eIF2β promote accuracy by controlling eIF1 dissociation. In vitro 40S binding affinity assays; reconstituted PIC kinetic assays; yeast genetics (Ssu−/Sui− suppression) RNA (New York, N.Y.) High 24335188
2014 X-ray crystal structures of the six-subunit yeast eIF3 core combined with cryo-EM, cross-linking/mass spectrometry, and integrative modeling placed eIF1 on the 40S·eIF3 complex. Yeast eIF3 engages 40S in a clamp-like manner, encircling the subunit to position eIF1 and other key initiation factors on opposite ends of the mRNA channel. X-ray crystallography; cryo-EM; cross-linking coupled to mass spectrometry; integrative structure modeling Cell High 25171412
2015 Cryo-EM structure of a budding yeast 40S·eIF1·eIF1A·eIF3·eIF3j initiation complex resolved positions of eIF1, eIF1A, eIF3a, eIF3b, eIF3c on the 40S subunit and revealed a direct contact between eIF3j and eIF1A. Cryo-EM structure determination; placement of prior X-ray structures Nature structural & molecular biology High 25664723
2015 eIF1 stimulates translation initiation from TISU-AUG (short 5′ UTR context) while inhibiting non-TISU-directed initiation. eIF4GI shares this dual activity and directly interacts with eIF1. eIF4F is released upon 48S formation on TISU mRNA. Purified 48S preinitiation complex is sufficient for initiation via TISU AUG when preceded by a short 5′ UTR, revealing a specialized mechanism enabling mitochondrial gene translation under energy stress. In vitro 48S reconstitution; purified factor assays; co-immunoprecipitation (eIF4GI–eIF1 interaction); translation reporter assays in AMPK-KO cells Cell metabolism High 25738462
2018 Cryo-EM structure of a yeast 48S PIC at 3.0 Å shows eIF5-NTD bound to the 40S subunit at the position vacated by eIF1. eIF5-NTD interacts with and accommodates Met-tRNAi in a more PIN-like orientation. Substitutions in eIF5 residues contacting tRNAi alter UUG initiation in vivo and PIC open/closed state in vitro, demonstrating that eIF5 directly stabilizes the codon:anticodon duplex after eIF1 departure. Cryo-EM (3.0 Å); site-directed mutagenesis; in vitro PIC conformation assays; yeast genetic analysis eLife High 30475211
2018 eIF4G1 exists in two mutually exclusive complexes: one with eIF4E and one with eIF1. Using an eIF1 mutant impaired in eIF4G1 binding, eIF1–eIF4G1 interaction was shown to be important for leaky scanning and for avoiding cap-proximal initiation. eIF4E–eIF4G1 antagonizes the scanning promoted by eIF1–eIF4G1. The eIF4G1 transition from eIF4E to eIF1 binding is proposed to accompany the 43S ribosome's move from the cap to the scanning mode. Co-immunoprecipitation; eIF1 binding-site mutants; translation reporter assays; interaction mapping Molecular and cellular biology Medium 29987188
2018 eIF1 Loop 2 is juxtaposed with the Met-tRNAi D loop in the PIN state (from PIC structures). Ala substitutions in Loop 2 (D71A, M74A) increase initiation at UUG codons and AUGs in poor context, and stabilize TC binding to 48S PICs with UUG mRNA, without affecting eIF1 affinity for 40S subunits or POUT-mode TC loading. Arg substitutions convert the predicted Loop 2–tRNAi clash to an electrostatic attraction, further stabilizing PIN state. Thus Loop 2–D loop interactions specifically impede Met-tRNAi accommodation in PIN state. Site-directed mutagenesis; in vitro 48S PIC reconstitution; TC binding assays; yeast genetic analysis (UUG initiation, Kozak context reporters) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America High 29666249
2020 Ribosome profiling of a yeast eIF1-L96P variant (weakened PIC binding) shows genome-wide increases in translation of uORFs initiating at near-cognate codons (NCCs) or AUGs in poor Kozak context, frequently reducing downstream CDS translation. eIF1 also controls the ratio of mitochondrial protein isoforms translated from NCC versus AUG start codons (e.g., GRS1, ALA1). Thus eIF1 discriminates against suboptimal start codons throughout the translatome. Ribosome profiling (genome-wide); eIF1 mutant (L96P) yeast strain RNA (New York, N.Y.) High 31915290
2022 Small-molecule inhibitors of eIF4G1–eIF1 interaction (i14G1-10 and i14G1-12) directly bind eIF4G1, inhibit translation in vitro and in cells in an eIF4G1-level-dependent manner, and phenocopy eIF1/eIF4G1 perturbations on start codon stringency. i14G1s activate ER/UPR stress-response genes through enhanced 5′ UTR near-cognate AUG translation, independently of eIF2α phosphorylation. eIF4G1–eIF1 interaction is itself negatively regulated by ER stress and mTOR inhibition. In vitro translation assays; translatome profiling; small-molecule–protein binding assays; reporter assays in cells Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Medium 35857873
2024 During mammalian mitosis, a nuclear pool of eIF1 is released into the cytoplasm upon nuclear envelope breakdown, increasing eIF1–40S ribosome association and globally enhancing stringency of start-codon selection. Low-efficiency initiation sites are preferentially repressed in mitosis. Selectively depleting the nuclear pool of eIF1 eliminates the mitotic change in translational stringency, alters protein isoform synthesis, and increases cell death and decreases mitotic slippage following anti-mitotic drug treatment. Transcriptome-wide translation initiation site profiling; nuclear pool-specific eIF1 depletion; cell viability assays; co-sedimentation (eIF1–40S interaction) Nature High 39443796
2024 SARS-CoV-2 Nsp1 cooperates with EIF1 and EIF1A to selectively enhance translation of viral RNA. When EIF1/EIF1A are depleted, more ribosomes initiate from a conserved upstream CUG codon in viral mRNAs, shifting translation to uORF1 and reducing main ORF translation. Replacing the upstream CUG with AUG strongly inhibits main ORF translation independently of Nsp1, EIF1, or EIF1A, demonstrating that EIF1/EIF1A normally suppress upstream CUG usage to favor downstream AUG selection. Ribosome profiling; EIF1/EIF1A knockdown; reporter assays; start-codon mutagenesis PLoS pathogens Medium 38335237
2024 Single-molecule fluorescence analysis of in vitro reconstituted human translation initiation shows eIF1 loads onto mRNAs as part of the 43S complex and departs rapidly (~2 s) in a start-site-dependent manner; alternative start sites and longer 5′ UTRs delay departure. After initial departure, eIF1 transiently and repeatedly samples initiation complexes, with more prolonged sampling at alternative start sites. eIF5 only transiently binds late in initiation immediately before eIF5B association, and its binding requires a start site and is inhibited by alternative start sites. Single-molecule fluorescence (TIRF); in vitro reconstituted human initiation; knockdown and overexpression in human cells bioRxivpreprint Medium 39026837
2003 The HEAT domain of yeast eIF4G2 interacts directly with eIF1, and eIF1 can simultaneously bind eIF4G and eIF3c in vitro. The eIF4G HEAT domain mutations reduce binding to eIF1 and eIF5, increase UUG initiation, and the sui1-1 eIF1 mutation reduces the eIF4G–eIF1 interaction. eIF4G HEAT domain binding to eIF1 is thus important for maintaining scanning PIC integrity and AUG fidelity. In vitro pull-down; genetic suppression analysis; yeast genetic analysis (UUG initiation reporters) Molecular and cellular biology Medium 12861028
1999 Human A121/SUI1 (eIF1) expression is induced at the mRNA level by genotoxic and ER stress in a p53-independent manner. Expression of human A121 in yeast complemented the sui1 mutant phenotype, confirming its identity as a functional eIF1 ortholog. Two mRNA transcripts (1.35 kb and 0.65 kb) with a common coding region but different 3′ UTRs are differentially regulated by stress. Subtractive PCR; yeast complementation; Northern blot analysis; stress-induction experiments The Journal of biological chemistry Medium 10347211
1999 mof2-1 (a SUI1/eIF1 allele) affects the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathway in addition to translation initiation and frameshifting fidelity. Human SUI1 expressed in yeast activates NMD, suggesting eIF1 functions as a general modulator in multiple aspects of translation and mRNA turnover. Yeast genetic analysis; NMD reporter assays; cross-species complementation RNA (New York, N.Y.) Medium 10376878
2025 NMR backbone assignments of the human eIF3c fragment (residues 166–266) that encompasses the reported eIF1-binding site show this region is intrinsically disordered in solution, with short segments of modest α-helical or β-strand propensity. Three conserved FLKK motifs are located at junctions of transient structural elements. A small helix within this region contacts eIF1 in cryo-EM PIC structures. These assignments provide a foundation for mapping the eIF1-binding surface on eIF3c. NMR spectroscopy (1H–15N HSQC; backbone assignments; chemical shift index analysis) bioRxivpreprint Low bio_10.1101_2025.09.13.675972

Source papers

Stage 0 corpus · 54 papers · ranked by NIH iCite citations
Year Title Journal Citations PMID
2000 A multifactor complex of eukaryotic initiation factors, eIF1, eIF2, eIF3, eIF5, and initiator tRNA(Met) is an important translation initiation intermediate in vivo. Genes & development 241 11018020
2014 Molecular architecture of the 40S⋅eIF1⋅eIF3 translation initiation complex. Cell 178 25171412
2004 Interactions of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 (eIF3) subunit NIP1/c with eIF1 and eIF5 promote preinitiation complex assembly and regulate start codon selection. Molecular and cellular biology 140 15485912
2007 Dissociation of eIF1 from the 40S ribosomal subunit is a key step in start codon selection in vivo. Genes & development 139 17504939
2010 Initiation context modulates autoregulation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 1 (eIF1). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 133 20921384
1999 Structure and interactions of the translation initiation factor eIF1. The EMBO journal 111 10228174
2009 eIF1 controls multiple steps in start codon recognition during eukaryotic translation initiation. Journal of molecular biology 106 19751744
2018 Translational initiation factor eIF5 replaces eIF1 on the 40S ribosomal subunit to promote start-codon recognition. eLife 90 30475211
2003 The yeast eukaryotic initiation factor 4G (eIF4G) HEAT domain interacts with eIF1 and eIF5 and is involved in stringent AUG selection. Molecular and cellular biology 86 12861028
2015 Structure of a yeast 40S-eIF1-eIF1A-eIF3-eIF3j initiation complex. Nature structural & molecular biology 84 25664723
2015 Translational tolerance of mitochondrial genes to metabolic energy stress involves TISU and eIF1-eIF4GI cooperation in start codon selection. Cell metabolism 84 25738462
2013 Coordinated movements of eukaryotic translation initiation factors eIF1, eIF1A, and eIF5 trigger phosphate release from eIF2 in response to start codon recognition by the ribosomal preinitiation complex. The Journal of biological chemistry 71 23293029
1990 Genetic characterization of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae translational initiation suppressors sui1, sui2 and SUI3 and their effects on HIS4 expression. Genetics 69 2179049
1998 The Mof2/Sui1 protein is a general monitor of translational accuracy. Molecular and cellular biology 68 9488467
2012 The C-terminal domain of eukaryotic initiation factor 5 promotes start codon recognition by its dynamic interplay with eIF1 and eIF2β. Cell reports 65 22813744
1993 Galaptin-mediated adhesion of human ovarian carcinoma A121 cells and detection of cellular galaptin-binding glycoproteins. Cancer research 58 8347196
2007 Eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 1 carries two distinct eIF5-binding faces important for multifactor assembly and AUG selection. The Journal of biological chemistry 54 17974565
1999 The translation initiation factor, hu-Sui1 may be a target of hepatitis B X antigen in hepatocarcinogenesis. Oncogene 54 10208429
1996 SUI1/p16 is required for the activity of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Molecular and cellular biology 53 8628297
1978 Protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocytes XXI. Purification and properties of a protein factor (Co-EIF-1) which stimulates Met-tRNAf binding to EIF-1. The Journal of biological chemistry 48 249314
2013 β-Hairpin loop of eukaryotic initiation factor 1 (eIF1) mediates 40 S ribosome binding to regulate initiator tRNA(Met) recruitment and accuracy of AUG selection in vivo. The Journal of biological chemistry 46 23893413
2020 eIF1 discriminates against suboptimal initiation sites to prevent excessive uORF translation genome-wide. RNA (New York, N.Y.) 35 31915290
2013 Enhanced eIF1 binding to the 40S ribosome impedes conformational rearrangements of the preinitiation complex and elevates initiation accuracy. RNA (New York, N.Y.) 35 24335188
1999 Mutations in the MOF2/SUI1 gene affect both translation and nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. RNA (New York, N.Y.) 32 10376878
2018 eIF1 Loop 2 interactions with Met-tRNAi control the accuracy of start codon selection by the scanning preinitiation complex. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 30 29666249
2007 Expression and purification of recombinant wheat translation initiation factors eIF1, eIF1A, eIF4A, eIF4B, eIF4F, eIF(iso)4F, and eIF5. Methods in enzymology 30 17913646
2018 Dynamic Interaction of Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 4G1 (eIF4G1) with eIF4E and eIF1 Underlies Scanning-Dependent and -Independent Translation. Molecular and cellular biology 28 29987188
2020 New Pancreatic Cancer Biomarkers eIF1, eIF2D, eIF3C and eIF6 Play a Major Role in Translational Control in Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Anticancer research 26 32487605
2014 Expression and purification of functional human vascular endothelial growth factor-a121; the most important angiogenesis factor. Advanced pharmaceutical bulletin 26 25436186
2024 Nuclear release of eIF1 restricts start-codon selection during mitosis. Nature 25 39443796
1999 Cloning and characterization of a human genotoxic and endoplasmic reticulum stress-inducible cDNA that encodes translation initiation factor 1(eIF1(A121/SUI1)). The Journal of biological chemistry 25 10347211
2008 Manipulation of SMARCA2 and SMARCA4 transcript levels in porcine embryos differentially alters development and expression of SMARCA1, SOX2, NANOG, and EIF1. Reproduction (Cambridge, England) 24 18845624
1995 The amino acid sequence of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 1 and its similarity to yeast initiation factor SUI1. FEBS letters 21 7774713
2008 The SUI-homologous translation initiation factor eIF-1 is involved in regulation of ion homeostasis in rice. Plant biology (Stuttgart, Germany) 17 18426477
2022 Inhibitors of eIF4G1-eIF1 uncover its regulatory role of ER/UPR stress-response genes independent of eIF2α-phosphorylation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 15 35857873
2023 VEGF-A165 is the predominant VEGF-A isoform in platelets, while VEGF-A121 is abundant in serum and plasma from healthy individuals. PloS one 14 37027444
2020 First Complete Genome Sequences of Janthinobacterium lividum EIF1 and EIF2 and Their Comparative Genome Analysis. Genome biology and evolution 14 32658247
2012 Sensitivity of translation initiation factor eIF1 as a molecular target of salt toxicity to sodic-alkaline stress in the halophytic grass Leymus chinensis. Biochemical genetics 12 23112090
2024 eIF1 and eIF5 dynamically control translation start site fidelity. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology 11 39026837
2004 Molecular analysis of a stress-induced cDNA encoding the translation initiation factor, eIF1, from the salt-tolerant wild relative of rice, Porteresia coarctata. Functional plant biology : FPB 11 32688972
2024 SARS-CoV-2 Nsp1 cooperates with initiation factors EIF1 and 1A to selectively enhance translation of viral RNA. PLoS pathogens 9 38335237
2024 Translation initiation factor eIF1.2 promotes Toxoplasma stage conversion by regulating levels of key differentiation factors. Nature communications 8 38782906
2015 Autoantibody response to Sui1 and its tissue-specific expression in hepatocellular carcinoma. Tumour biology : the journal of the International Society for Oncodevelopmental Biology and Medicine 8 26386724
1997 Sequence analysis of the 33 kb long region between ORC5 and SUI1 from the left arm of chromosome XIV from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Yeast (Chichester, England) 8 9234673
2024 Nuclear release of eIF1 globally increases stringency of start-codon selection to preserve mitotic arrest physiology. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology 7 38617206
2023 Cytotoxic and Antifungal Staurosporine Derivatives from Marine-Derived Actinomycete Streptomyces sp. ZS-A121. Chemistry & biodiversity 6 38031386
2018 Soluble Production of Human Recombinant VEGF-A121 by Using SUMO Fusion Technology in Escherichia coli. Molecular biotechnology 6 29943150
2010 The role of eIF1 in translation initiation codon selection in Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetics 5 20855569
2025 The Endothelial Cell-Related Genes EIF1 and HSPA1B Contribute to the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease by Modulating Peripheral Immunoinflammatory Responses. Brain sciences 3 40002537
2024 Translation initiation factor eIF1.2 promotes Toxoplasma stage conversion by regulating levels of key differentiation factors. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology 1 37961607
2021 Identification and characterization of SaeIF1 from the eukaryotic translation factor SUI1 family in cadmium hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii. Planta 1 33389204
2022 Characterization of two constitutive promoters RPS28 and EIF1 for studying soybean growth, development, and symbiotic nodule development. aBIOTECH 0 36312443
2010 [Correlation between predominant pI genotypes, G120/A121 mutations and drug resistance]. Zhonghua liu xing bing xue za zhi = Zhonghua liuxingbingxue zazhi 0 20513293
2010 cDNA, genomic sequence cloning, and overexpression of EIF1 from the giant panda (Ailuropoda Melanoleuca) and the black bear (Ursus Thibetanus Mupinensis). Nucleosides, nucleotides & nucleic acids 0 20589574

Missed literature

Know a paper Affinage missed for EIF1? Flag it for the maintainers and the community.

No submissions yet.