Eif5a - eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A

This gene encodes an elongation initiation factor, which participates in protein synthesis. The encoded protein also plays roles in mRNA metabolism, cell proliferation, and cell cycle control. This protein contains a modified lysine residue called hypusine, which appears to be necessary for its function. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been described. Related pseudogenes exist on chromosomes 2, 5, and 19. [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2009]