Regulation of senescence by eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A: implications for plant growth and development.

John E Thompson, Marianne T Hopkins, Catherine Taylor, Tzann-Wei Wang

Journal: Trends in plant science 2004;9(4):174-9

PMID: 15063867

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

Regulation of protein synthesis is increasingly being recognized as an important determinant of cell proliferation and senescence. In particular, recent evidence indicates that eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF-A) plays a pivotal role in this determination. Separate isoforms of eIF-5A appear to facilitate the translation of mRNAs required for cell division and cell death. This raises the possibility that eIF-5A isoforms are elements of a biological switch that is in one position in dividing cells and in another position in dying cells. Changes in the position of this putative switch in response to physiological and environmental cues are likely to have a significant impact on plant growth and development.

Address: Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1. [email protected]

DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2004.02.008