The role of eukaryotic initiation factor 5A in the control of cell proliferation and apoptosis

In the past years, the attention of scientists has mainly focused on the st udy of the genetic information and alterations that regulate eukaryotic cel l proliferation and that lead to neoplastic transformation. An increasing s eries of data are emerging about the involvement of the initiation phase of translational processes in the control of cell proliferation. In this pape r we review the novel insights on the biochemical and molecular events lead ing to the initiation and its involvement in cell proliferation and tumouri genesis. We describe the structure, regulation and proposed functions of th e eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF-5A) focusing the attention on its in volvement in the regulation of apoptosis and cell proliferation. Moreover, we describe the modulation of its activity (through the reduction of hypusi ne synthesis) in apoptosis induced either by tissue transglutaminase or int erferon a. Finally, we propose eIF-5A as an additional target of anti-cance r strategies.