Eukaryotic initiation factor eIF2 binds initiator Met-tRNAiMet to the P site of the 40S ribosomal subunit. Hydroxyl radical probing analyses allowed mapping of the binding of eIF2 on the ribosome and on Met-tRNAiMet. Interestingly, despite having structural similarities to elongation factor EF-Tu, which delivers aminoacyl-tRNAs to the A site of 70S elongating ribosomes, eIF2 binds tRNA in a substantially different manner.
- Byung-Sik Shin
- Joo-Ran Kim
- Thomas E Dever