eIF5A is an elongation factor that binds to ribosomes when they get stuck during the synthesis of some proteins containing proline, glycine and charged amino acid motifs. Our group has determined that eIF5A is required for the synthesis of formins (yeast, fly and mouse), collagen (mouse and human) and human proteins that are prone to aggregation in aged cells. Our aim is to mechanistically determine the function of eIF5A, through the synthesis of its target proteins, in pathologies such as fibrosis, cancer or during ageing. Understanding these mechanisms will help in the development of specific therapies aimed at regulating eIF5A function.

Translation, eIF5A, mitochondria, collagen, formins, protein aggregation, ageing

• Molecular Biology