Identification of a new member of the human eIF-5A gene family.

Using an oligodeoxynucleotide generated by rapid PCR amplification of 5'-cDNA ends (5'-RACE) as a detection probe, we have isolated a new genomic clone encoding the human eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF-5A). Sequence analysis revealed that the eIF-5A coding region is identical to the corresponding cDNA but interrupted by three introns. In a plasmid shuffle experiment we show functional replacement of the essential homologous gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by this human eIF-5A.