eEF-1 are two
eukaryotic elongation factors. It forms two complexes, the
EF-Tu homolog EF-1A and the
EF-Ts homolog EF-1B, the former's guanide exchange factor.
Both are also found in
archaea
Archaea ( ) is a Domain (biology), domain of organisms. Traditionally, Archaea only included its Prokaryote, prokaryotic members, but this has since been found to be paraphyletic, as eukaryotes are known to have evolved from archaea. Even thou ...
.
Structure
The nomenclature for the eEF-1 subunits have somewhat shifted around circa 2001, as it was recognized that the EF-1A and EF-1B complexes are to some extent independent of each other.
[ Components as currently recognized and named include:][ eEF1A also binds ]actin
Actin is a family of globular multi-functional proteins that form microfilaments in the cytoskeleton, and the thin filaments in muscle fibrils. It is found in essentially all eukaryotic cells, where it may be present at a concentration of ...
.[
]
Other species
Various species of green algae
The green algae (: green alga) are a group of chlorophyll-containing autotrophic eukaryotes consisting of the phylum Prasinodermophyta and its unnamed sister group that contains the Chlorophyta and Charophyta/ Streptophyta. The land plants ...
, red algae
Red algae, or Rhodophyta (, ; ), make up one of the oldest groups of eukaryotic algae. The Rhodophyta comprises one of the largest Phylum, phyla of algae, containing over 7,000 recognized species within over 900 Genus, genera amidst ongoing taxon ...
, chromalveolates, and fungi
A fungus (: fungi , , , or ; or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and mold (fungus), molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as one ...
lack the EF-1α gene but instead possess a related gene called EFL (elongation factor-like). Although its function has not been studied in depth, it appears to be similar to EF-1α.
, only two organisms are known to have both EF-1α and EFL: the fungus '' Basidiobolus'' and the diatom ''Thalassiosira
''Thalassiosira'' is a genus of centric diatoms, comprising over 100 marine and freshwater species. It is a diverse group of photosynthetic eukaryotes that make up a vital part of marine and freshwater ecosystems, in which they are key primary pr ...
''. The evolutionary history of EFL is unclear. It may have arisen one or more times followed by loss of EFL or EF-1α. The presence in three diverse eukaryotic groups (fungi, chromalveolates, and archaeplastida
The Archaeplastida (or kingdom Plantae '' sensu lato'' "in a broad sense"; pronounced ) are a major group of eukaryotes, comprising the photoautotrophic red algae (Rhodophyta), green algae, land plants, and the minor group glaucophytes. It als ...
) is supposed to be the result of two or more horizontal gene transfer
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) or lateral gene transfer (LGT) is the movement of genetic material between organisms other than by the ("vertical") transmission of DNA from parent to offspring (reproduction). HGT is an important factor in the e ...
events, according to a 2009 review. A 2013 report finds 11 more species with both genes, and provided an alternative hypothesis that an ancestor eukaryote may have both genes. In all known organisms where both genes are present, EF-1α tends to be transcriptionally repressed. If the hypothesis holds true, scientists would expect to find an organism that has a repressed EFL and a fully-functioning EF-1α.
See also
* Eukaryotic translation
References
External links
*
{{GTPases
Protein biosynthesis
Eukaryote genes