Canonical and Non-Canonical Function of Translation Elongation Factors and the Regulation of their Expression and Function

The protein translation elongation factor complex consists of numerous proteins that are abundant in the cell, including eEF1A, eEF1Bα, eEF1Bδ, eEF1Bγ and VARS. The canonical function of this complex delivers aminoacylated tRNAs (aa-tRNAs) to the ribosome during the elongation phase of mRNA translation. In addition to its canonical role, a non-canonical function outside protein synthesis has been reported for eEF1A, eEF1Bδ and others, however, the precise mechanisms underlying this process has not yet been fully elucidated. Recent genetic studies revealed that a mutation in EEF1A2, EEF1B2, EEF1D and VARS correlates with neurodevelopmental disorders including epilepsy, autism and intellectual disability. Interestingly, in almost all of these disorders, a loss of function mutation in one or several of these proteins was unveiled, suggesting that an intact function of elongation factors is important during neurodevelopment.

At present, the expression, structure and canonical function of elongation factors are well studied; however, the regulation of expression and function via post-translational modifications and non-canonical functions has not yet been fully elucidated. In addition, it is unclear why a mutation of each gene encoding elongation factors underlies neurodevelopmental disorders and how overexpression of those proteins contributes to tumorigenesis. Therefore, in this Research Topic, the goal is to shed new insight into the canonical and non-canonical function of elongation factors and the regulation of their expression and function. It is hoped that this will allow further clarification of the physiological role of elongation factors and the intricate complex they form, thereby equipping researchers with a more detailed understanding of the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders.

The scope of this Research Topic is to cover novel findings and recent trends in biochemical, physiological, and genetic studies on elongation factors and related fields. Both review and original articles are welcome. Areas to be covered in this Topic may include, but are not limited to:
• Cellular and molecular studies on the function of individual elongation factors and their complex during neurodevelopment;
• Non-canonical function of elongation factors and their complex during neurodevelopment;
• The mechanistic role of elongation factors in neurodevelopmental disorders;
• Transcriptional regulation of the expression of genes coding elongation factors during neurodevelopment;
• Novel post-translational modification of elongation factors during neurodevelopment;
• Novel binding partners of elongation factors and their functional relevance in normal and dysregulated neurodevelopment.