Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4F (eIF4F), comprising subunits eIF4G, eIF4E, and eIF4A, plays a pivotal role in the 48S preinitiation complex assembly and ribosomal scanning. Additionally, eIF4B enhances the helicase activity of eIF4A. eIF4F also interacts with poly (A)-binding protein (PABP) bound to the poly (A) tail of messenger RNA (mRNA), thereby forming a closed-loop structure. PABP, in turn, interacts with eukaryotic release factor 3 (eRF3), stimulating translation termination. Here, we employed a reconstituted mammalian system to directly demonstrate that eIF4F potently enhances translation termination. Specifically, eIF4A and eIF4B promote the loading of eRF1 into the A site of the ribosome, while eIF4G1 stimulates the GTPase activity of eRF3 and facilitates the dissociation of release factors following peptide release. We also identified MIF4G as the minimal domain required for this activity and showed that eIF4G2/DAP5 can also promote termination. Our findings provide compelling evidence that the closed-loop mRNA structure facilitates translation termination, with PABP and eIF4F directly involved in this process.

Successful translation requires multiple protein factors with diverse specific activities. Initiation of translation is regarded as the most tightly regulated step of this process, controlled by numerous factors. Among these is the eukaryotic initiation factor 4F (eIF4F), a protein complex composed of three subunits: the cap-binding protein eIF4E, the RNA helicase eIF4A, and the scaffolding protein eIF4G. While significant progress has been made in elucidating the structure and functions of eIF4F, several key questions remain unresolved concerning its mechanistic contributions to translational control. In this review, we discuss the roles of eIF4F in translation and its regulatory functions under diverse cellular conditions. Dysregulation of eIF4F is frequently implicated in a wide range of physiological abnormalities, confirming its critical role in the cell. We also review recent studies that position eIF4F as a global cellular regulator and expand our understanding of its role.

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a zoonotic disease commonly diagnosed in the Volga Federal District (VFD). HFRS is caused by Puumala orthohantavirus (PUUV), and this virus is usually detected in bank voles as its natural host (Myodes glareolus). The PUUV genome is composed of the single-stranded, negative-sense RNA containing three segments. The goal of the current study is to identify genome variants of PUUV strains circulating in bank voles captured in the Udmurt Republic (UR) and Ulyanovsk region (ULR). The comparative and phylogenetic analysis of PUUV strains revealed that strains from Varaksino site UR are closely related to strains previously identified in the Pre-Kama area of the Republic of Tatarstan (RT), whilst strains from Kurlan and Mullovka sites ULR are similar to strains from the Trans-Kama area of the RT. It was also found that Barysh ULR strains form a separate distinct group phylogenetically equidistant from Varaksino and Kurlan–Mullovka groups. The identified groups of strains can be considered as separate sub-lineages in the PUUV Russian genetic lineage. In addition, the genomes of the strains from the UR, most likely, were formed as a result of reassortment.

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF3 plays a pivotal role in 48S preinitiation complex assembly and ribosomal scanning. It binds simultaneously to the 40S ribosomal subunit and the eIF4F cap-binding complex, which, through its interaction with poly(A)-binding protein (PABP), facilitates closed-loop mRNA structure formation. PABP also interacts with the eukaryotic release factor eRF3, thereby co-localizing initiation and release factors, and suggesting potential functional crosstalk. Using a reconstituted mammalian translation system, we demonstrate that eIF3 significantly enhances translation termination. Specifically, eIF3 promotes the loading of eRF1 into the ribosomal A site, accelerating the GTPase activity of eRF3 and the rate of peptide release. We also show that eIF3 facilitates the binding of suppressor or near-cognate tRNAs to stop codons to enable readthrough and continued elongation. These findings establish a conserved, direct role of eIF3 in regulation both translation termination and stop codon readthrough, a mechanism particularly relevant within closed-loop mRNA structures and during upstream open reading frame translation.