The gene function encoding translation elongation factor eEF3 is partially conserved across fungi.

INTRODUCTION

Translation is a fundamental process of life. In eukaryotes, the elongation step of translation is highly conserved and is driven by eukaryotic translation elongation factors (eEF)1A and eEF2. A significant variation of the elongation is the activity of eukaryotic elongation factor (eEF) 3 in encoded by the gene yeast elongation factor () with orthologs in all fungal species, a few algae, and some protists. In is an essential gene and eEF3 plays a critical role in translation elongation, as it promotes binding of the ternary complex acylated-Transfer RNA (tRNA)-eEF1A-Guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP) to the aminoacyl (A) site of the ribosome, the release of uncharged tRNAs after peptide translocation, and ribosome recycling. Even though was discovered more than 40 years ago, eEF3 has been characterized almost exclusively in .

METHODS

We undertook an genetic approach to assess the functional conservation of across phylogenetically distant fungal species.

RESULTS

We found that from and (both belonging to Ascomycota), ( Basidiomycota), and ( Monoblepharomycota), but not ( Ascomycota), supported the growth of lacking the endogenous gene. We also proved that is an essential gene in the ascomycetes and .

DISCUSSION

Given that most existing knowledge on fungal translation has only been obtained from , our findings beyond this organism showed variability in the elongation process in Fungi. We also proved that is essential in pathogenic fungi, opening the possibility of using eEF3 as a target to fight candidiasis.