http://biology.hunter.cuny.edu/molecularbio/Class%20Materials%20Spring%202012%20Biol302/Lecture%203/Kozak%20Test%20of%20rules.pdf

Point mutations define a sequence flanking the AUG initiator codon that modulates translation by eukaryotic ribosomes.

The small (40S) subunit of eukaryotic ribosomes is believed to bind initially at the capped 5'-end of messenger RNA and then migrate, stopping at the first AUG codon in a favorable context for initiating translation. The first-AUG rule is not absolute, but there are rules for breaking the rule. Some anomalous observations that seemed to contradict the scanning mechanism now appear to be artifacts. A few genuine anomalies remain unexplained.

/pdf/the-scanning-model-for-translation-an-update-52r2in8l71.pdf

The scanning model for translation: an update.

▪ Abstract Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4F (eIF4F) is a protein complex that mediates recruitment of ribosomes to mRNA. This event is the rate-limiting step for translation under most circumstances and a primary target for translational control. Functions of the constituent proteins of eIF4F include recognition of the mRNA 5′ cap structure (eIF4E), delivery of an RNA helicase to the 5′ region (eIF4A), bridging of the mRNA and the ribosome (eIF4G), and circularization of the mRNA via interaction with poly(A)-binding protein (eIF4G). eIF4 activity is regulated by transcription, phosphorylation, inhibitory proteins, and proteolytic cleavage. Extracellular stimuli evoke changes in phosphorylation that influence eIF4F activity, especially through the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and Ras signaling pathways. Viral infection and cellular stresses also affect eIF4F function. The recent determination of the structure of eIF4E at atomic resolution has provided insight about how translation is initiat...

eIF4 Initiation Factors: Effectors of mRNA Recruitment to Ribosomes and Regulators of Translation

http://wolfson.huji.ac.il/expression/local/kozak.pdf

Structural features in eukaryotic mRNAs that modulate the initiation of translation.

https://www.cell.com/cell/pdf/S0092-8674(02)00908-X.pdf

Single-stranded antisense siRNAs guide target RNA cleavage in RNAi

Capping of eucaryotic mRNAs

Reovirus mRNAs with 5'terminal m7GpppGm or GpppG are more stable than mRNA containing unblocked ppG 5'-ends when injected into Xenopus laevis oocytes or incubated in cell-free protein synthesising extracts of wheat germ and mouse L cells. The greater stability of mRNA with blocked 5' termini is not dependent upon translation but seems to result from protection against 5'-exonucleolytic degradation.

5′-Terminal structure and mRNA stability

Unmethylated reovirus and VSV mRNAs are specifically methylated to form 5'-terminal structures of the type, m-7-G(5')ppp(5')N by protein synthesising extracts prepared from wheat germ and mouse L cells. Reticulocyte mRNA also contains 5'-terminal m-7-G. MRNAs having 5'-terminal m-7-G stimulate protein synthesis in vitro. Removal of m-7-G by beta-elimination abolishes translation of the mRNAs.

Aaron J. Shatkin

Papers

Capping of eucaryotic mRNAs

5′-Terminal structure and mRNA stability

5'-Terminal 7-methylguanosine in eukaryotic mRNA is required for translation.

Sequences containing methylated nucleotides at the 5′ termini of messenger RNAs: Possible implications for processing

mRNA cap binding proteins: essential factors for initiating translation.