Protein synthesis in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Purification of Co-eIF-2A and 'mRNA-binding factor(s)' and studies of their roles in Met-tRNAf.40S.mRNA complex formation.

Antibodies prepared against a homogeneous preparation of Co-eIF-2A20 [Ahmad et al. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 6955–6959] reacted with several polypeptides including an 80-kDa polypeptide present in a crude yeast ribosomal salt wash. This 80-kDa polypeptide, containing Co-eIF-2A (Co-eIF-2A80) activity, has been extensively purified using a two-step purification procedure involving an immunoaffinity column chromatograph prepared using antibodies against Co-eIF-2A20 (fraction II) and hydroxyapatite chromatography (fraction III). The factors, eIF-2 + homogeneous Co-eIF-2A80 (fraction III) promoted Met-tRNAf· 40S complex formation with an AUG codon but not with a physiological mRNA or a polyribonucleotide messenger poly(U,G) whereas eIF-2 + a partially purified Co-eIF-2A80 preparation (fraction II) promoted Met-tRNAf· 40S complex formation with an AUG codon as well as with globin mRNA and poly(U,G) messenger. This factor-promoted Met-tRNAf binding to 40S ribosomes depends absolutely on the presence of a polyribonucleotide messenger containing an initiation codon (such as AUG or GUG). Other polyribonucleotide messengers tested, such as poly(U), poly(A) and poly(A,C), were completely ineffective in this binding reaction. This result indicates that the Met-tRNAf· 40S · mRNA complex is formed by a direct interaction between Met-tRNAf, 40S ribosomes and the initiation site in mRNA. A mechanism has been proposed for Met-tRNAf· 40S · mRNA complex formation in yeast.