Translation Factors

Splicing factor SC35 (SC35) is necessary for the splicing of pre-mRNA by forming the earliest ATP-dependent splicing complex and interacting with spliceosomal components bound to the 5'- and 3'-splice sites during spliceosome assembly. SC35 is a marker for nuclear speckles cellular bodies, also called interchromatin granule clusters.

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E transporter (EIF4ENIF1) is a nucleoplasmic shuttling protein. EIF4ENIF1 mediates the nuclear import of EIF4E by a piggy-back mechanism. EIF4ENIF1 interacts with importin beta only in the presence of importin alpha, suggesting a direct interaction with importin alpha. EIF4ENIF1is predominantly cytoplasmic. EIF4ENIF1 shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm in a CRM1-dependent manner.

Piwi-like protein 2 (PIWIL2) plays a central role during spermatogenesis by repressing transposable elements and preventing their mobilization, which is essential for the germline integrity. PIWIL2 acts via the piRNA metabolic process, which mediates the repression of transposable elements during meiosis by forming complexes composed of piRNAs and Piwi proteins and governing the methylation and subsequent repression of transposons. PIWIL2 binds pi RNAs, a class of 24 to 30 nucleotide RNAs that are generated by a Dicer-independent mechanism.

Trinucleotide repeat-containing gene 6A protein (GW182) plays a role in RNA-mediated gene silencing by both micro-RNAs (miRNAs) and short interfering RNAs (siRNAs). GW182 is required for miRNA-dependent repression of translation and for siRNA-dependent endonucleolytic cleavage of complementary mRNAs by argonaute family proteins. Antibodies against GW182 are found in sera from patients with Sjoegren syndrome (SS), ataxia and sensor neuropathy diseases that developed autoantibodies against protein of the GWB structure.

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2C 2, also known as Slicer protein or Argonaute-2, provides endonuclease activity to RNA-induced silencing complexes (RISC). Slicer cleaves siRNA/mRNA heteroduplexes bound to RISC. Slicer is essential for embryonic development and RNA-mediated gene silencing (RNAi). Slicer is localised in processing bodies (P bodies) that contain decapping enzymes, a 5'-to-3' exoribonuclease, LSm proteins, and RNAi machinery components.