Eukaryotic initiation factor 5A: the molecular form of the hypusine-containing protein from human erythrocytes.

Eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF-5A, formerly known as eIF-4D) purified from human erythrocytes has been found to have a monomeric molecular weight between 17,500 and 18,000. In this study, using exclusion chromatography and analytical ultracentrifugation, we demonstrate that eIF-5A normally exists as a dimer in solution and appears to be capable of undergoing reversible association to form higher polymers.