Translation initiation requires the formation of a pre-initiation complex that recruits the 5′ end of the mRNA and scans along it to locate the start codon. Genetic, biochemical and structural studies have shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the individual steps of this complex process. This Review describes our current understanding of eukaryotic translation initiation and outlines some important outstanding questions in the field.
- Colin Echeverría Aitken
- Jon R Lorsch